City Comparison
Irvine vs Moreno Valley
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Irvine scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Irvine
Moreno Valley
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moreno Valley is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Irvine.
Housing costs are a major driver: Irvine's average rent is
63% higher than Moreno Valley's.
| Metric | Irvine | Moreno Valley | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,066 | $1,881 | +63% |
| Groceries | $450 | $413 | +9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $410 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $302 | -17% |
| Monthly Total | $4,066 | $3,186 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 168 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Irvine offers 39% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moreno Valley delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Irvine is estimated at
$95,000 vs $70,000 in Moreno Valley.
| Metric | Irvine | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $58,932 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,810 idx | 50,369 idx |
| Household Income | $136,719 | $93,222 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Irvine runs warmer on average — a 64.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Irvine comes out ahead with 324 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Irvine sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Irvine | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 19.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 324 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Irvine has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Moreno Valley.
Irvine scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Irvine leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Irvine | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Irvine is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Moreno Valley.
From a growth perspective, Irvine is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Irvine has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Irvine | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 318,693 | 215,549 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Irvine
Advantages
Consistently ranked as one of the safest big cities in America for consecutive years per FBI statistics and local safety reports.
Irvine Unified School District achieves exceptional performance metrics, with high school graduation rates exceeding 97%.
Home to more than 19,000 thriving businesses providing robust local employment and career mobility.
Extensive outdoor recreational infrastructure featuring over 16,000 acres of preserved open space and extensive bicycle trails.
High concentration of residents with higher education degrees, fostering a progressive, intellectually vibrant community.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living sits roughly 68% higher than the national average, heavily driven by housing expenses.
Median home purchase prices scale past $1.4 million, presenting a steep barrier to entry for prospective first-time buyers.
High reliance on automobile travel for daily errands despite solid local bicycle infrastructure.
Strict homeowner association (HOA) regulations and municipal codes govern property aesthetics and modifications.
Rental prices remain among the highest in Southern California, placing considerable pressure on non-homeowners.
Moreno Valley
Advantages
More affordable housing market compared to other major Southern California cities, with median home prices significantly lower than Murrieta and Temecula.
Strategic location with direct freeway access to Los Angeles and Orange County, offering shorter commute times for many.
Growing industrial sector, particularly in logistics and warehousing, providing steady employment opportunities.
Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters, conducive to outdoor activities year-round.
Diverse and relatively young population, contributing to a vibrant community atmosphere.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is 17% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and transportation costs.
Higher violent and property crime rates compared to national averages.
Heavily car-dependent city with a walk score of 0, necessitating a car for most daily activities.
Recent job growth has seen a decline of 1.38% in employment from June 2025 to June 2026.
School performance and safety statistics reportedly lag behind some neighboring cities like Murrieta and Temecula.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Irvine
#275California, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,066
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
168
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
324/yr
Avg Temp
64.10°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
88
Business
82
Moreno Valley
#552California, USA
48.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,881
Avg Salary
$58,932
Cost Index
117
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
65
Business
70
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