Chicago
Illinois
Pop. 2,721,914
VS
Moreno Valley
California
Pop. 209,578

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

63
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
57
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
It's a tie 2–2
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Chicago wins 2–2 overall (63/100)
💰 Chicago is more affordable
💼 Chicago has lower unemployment
🛡️ Chicago has fewer disasters

📋 Chicago vs Moreno Valley — The Verdict

It's a close call — Chicago (63/100) and Moreno Valley (57.8/100) each win 2 categories. On affordability, Chicago has a clear edge with home prices 28% lower. For safety-conscious movers, Chicago has a notably lower disaster history with 22 fewer declarations in 20 years. Chicago may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Chicago are 28% lower — a difference of $116,900 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Chicago saves you $544/month — that's $6,528 per year.
💵
Households in Moreno Valley earn $10,964 more per year (15% higher median income).
📊
Chicago has a 0.9 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🛡️
Chicago has experienced 22 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Chicago vs Moreno Valley: Cost of Living Comparison
65
vs
45
Median Home Value
$304,500
$421,400
Median Rent /mo
$1,314
$1,858
Median Income
$71,673
$82,637
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Chicago offers home prices 28% lower than Moreno Valley, translating to $116,900 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Chicago vs Moreno Valley: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
40
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
5.5%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Chicago having a slight edge at 4.6% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
🌡️ Chicago vs Moreno Valley: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Chicago vs Moreno Valley: Air Quality & Environment
70
vs
85
Air Quality (AQI)
60
0
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Chicago vs Moreno Valley: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Chicago vs Moreno Valley: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
10
32
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
Low
Chicago has a markedly lower disaster history — 22 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.

❓ Moving from Chicago to Moreno Valley: Common Questions

Is Chicago or Moreno Valley cheaper to live in?
Chicago is more affordable overall. Home prices are $116,900 lower in Chicago. Monthly rent is $1,314 in Chicago vs $1,858 in Moreno Valley.
Does Chicago or Moreno Valley have better weather?
Moreno Valley scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Chicago or Moreno Valley better for finding a job?
Chicago currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in Chicago vs 5.5% in Moreno Valley. Median household income is $71,673 in Chicago and $82,637 in Moreno Valley.
Which city is safer — Chicago or Moreno Valley?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Chicago is safer. Chicago has had 10 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 32 in Moreno Valley. Chicago scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Moreno Valley.
Should I move from Chicago to Moreno Valley?
Based on our data, Chicago scores 63.0/100 vs Moreno Valley's 57.8/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Chicago is more affordable, while Moreno Valley has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.