Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Moreno Valley, CA
Relocating between Costa Mesa, CA and Moreno Valley, CA is a 54 mi drive β 1h 13m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
54 mi Β· 1h 13m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, CA 261 TOLL, CA 241 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, San Bernardino, Rialto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Moreno Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.3% moving from Costa Mesa to Moreno Valley β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa to $551,284 in Moreno Valley, a 6.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Moreno Valley -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 10.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 63.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, MARCH AFB, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 210,378 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $87,477 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 32.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 12.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.84 |
Expect median household income to fall 6.3% β $110,073 β $87,477 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Moreno Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Moreno Valley average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Moreno Valley sees only 10.7 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Moreno Valley compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $551,284 in Moreno Valley vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 61.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Moreno Valley, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 54 mi and the route typically takes 1h 13m via CA 91 and CA 261 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Moreno Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,477 in Moreno Valley vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 20.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Moreno Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 54 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Moreno Valley compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Moreno Valley more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Moreno Valley is 6.3% lower than Costa Mesa (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Moreno Valley, CA.