CostIndexUSA

Iowa City, IA vs Moreno Valley, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIA
Iowa City
91.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
CA
Moreno Valley
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent

Iowa City is significantly cheaper than Moreno Valley — 16.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Iowa City, you would need $93,000 in Moreno Valley. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+53.9%
Iowa City
84
Moreno Valley
129.3
🛒 Groceries+8.2%
Iowa City
93.7
Moreno Valley
101.4
🚗 Transportation+8.9%
Iowa City
97.6
Moreno Valley
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+8.9%
Iowa City
88.3
Moreno Valley
96.2
Utilities+77.5%
Iowa City
83.7
Moreno Valley
148.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Iowa City to see what you'd need to earn in Moreno Valley to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Moreno Valley, CA
$93,000
$13,000 more needed in Moreno Valley

Formula: salary × (106.4 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 1.1628. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Iowa City, IA

Median Home Price
$287,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Moreno Valley, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Moreno Valley has 53.9% higher housing costs compared to Iowa City.

Income & Job Market

Iowa City, IA

Median Household Income
$71,900
Per Capita Income
$41,000
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
Population
74,398
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyResearchGovernment

Moreno Valley, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
208,634
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsManufacturingRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Iowa City, IA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Moreno Valley, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.