City Comparison
Long Beach vs Moreno Valley
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Moreno Valley scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Long Beach
Moreno Valley
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Long Beach is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Moreno Valley.
| Metric | Long Beach | Moreno Valley | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $1,881 | +1% |
| Groceries | $460 | $413 | +11% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $130 | $410 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $302 | -11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $3,186 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 142 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Long Beach offers 51% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Long Beach delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Long Beach is estimated at
$68,000 vs $70,000 in Moreno Valley.
| Metric | Long Beach | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,000 | $58,932 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,676 idx | 50,369 idx |
| Household Income | $87,430 | $93,222 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Long Beach runs warmer on average — a 63.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Long Beach comes out ahead with 328 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Long Beach sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Long Beach | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 19.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Long Beach scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Long Beach leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Long Beach | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Long Beach is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Moreno Valley.
From a growth perspective, Moreno Valley is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moreno Valley has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Long Beach | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 450,469 | 215,549 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 32.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 5.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Long Beach
Advantages
Median household income stands at $87,430, supporting a stable local purchasing power relative to state baselines.
Exceptional climate featuring 328 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor recreation and coastal activities.
World-class higher education infrastructure anchored by California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and Long Beach City College.
Extensive pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, making core districts like Belmont Shore and Downtown highly walkable and bike-friendly.
Diverse and thriving economy driven by international trade at the Port of Long Beach, aerospace, and robust healthcare sectors.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and steep housing prices, with average rents exceeding national medians.
Traffic congestion along major regional arteries and freeways, particularly related to port freight and commuter transit.
Property crime rates in certain central and urban corridors remain higher than the national average.
State energy taxes and utility costs run noticeably higher than the U.S. average.
Poverty rate sits near 14.3%, indicating income inequality across specific neighborhood pockets.
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.
Long Beach
#579California, USA
45.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,900
Avg Salary
$89,000
Cost Index
142
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
63.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
78
Business
72
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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