Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Moreno Valley to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Moreno Valley has a higher median household income ($93,222 vs $81,332) and higher median home value ($503,700 vs $420,700) than Phoenix, but also higher median gross rent ($2,135 vs $1,582) and a longer derived one-way commute (38 vs 28 minutes). Phoenix benefits from a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 2.50% in the calculator, while Moreno Valley’s state tax is excluded per data boundaries. The trade-off involves weighing Moreno Valley’s stronger income and home equity against its higher housing costs and commute time, versus Phoenix’s lower income and home value but more affordable rent, shorter commute, and included tax assumption. Neither city universally dominates; the optimal choice depends on individual priorities regarding income, housing affordability, commute tolerance, and tax treatment.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → Moreno ValleyMoving from Moreno Valley to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
-$553/mo
Moving to Phoenix saves ~$6,636/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
-10 min / day
Difference of ~83 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTMOR → PHX
74/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$16,220after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Phoenix is about $6,636 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Moreno Valley household income$93,222
Phoenix household income$81,332
Moreno Valley gross rent$2,135
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Moreno Valley | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 211,666 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $93,222 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $2,135 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $503,700 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 38 minutes in Moreno Valley and 28 minutes in Phoenix. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- Derived one-way commute estimate
- State individual income-tax reference
What each city wins
Moreno Valley
Rent-to-income ratio is 27.5%, below typical burden threshold.. Watch affordability varies by neighborhood; citywide data masks local disparities..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has higher housing costs relative to income?
Moreno Valley has a higher median gross rent ($2,135) and median home value ($503,700) than Phoenix ($1,582 rent, $420,700 value), despite its higher income ($93,222 vs $81,332), resulting in a less favorable rent-to-income ratio in Moreno Valley.
How does commute time compare between the two cities?
The derived one-way commute estimate is 38 minutes for Moreno Valley and 28 minutes for Phoenix, based on weighted midpoints from the 2024 ACS table B08303, indicating Phoenix residents generally experience shorter commutes.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.