CostIndexUSA

Moreno Valley, CA vs Santa Barbara, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Moreno Valley
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent
CA
Santa Barbara
108.8
overall index
$2,275/mo rent

Moreno Valley is slightly cheaper than Santa Barbara — 2.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Moreno Valley, you would need $81,800 in Santa Barbara. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+17.1%
Moreno Valley
129.3
Santa Barbara
151.4
🛒 Groceries+3.7%
Moreno Valley
101.4
Santa Barbara
105.2
🚗 Transportation0.9%
Moreno Valley
106.3
Santa Barbara
105.3
🏥 Healthcare0.9%
Moreno Valley
96.2
Santa Barbara
95.3
Utilities+0.8%
Moreno Valley
148.6
Santa Barbara
149.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Barbara, CA
$81,800
$1,800 more needed in Santa Barbara

Formula: salary × (108.8 ÷ 106.4) = salary × 1.0226. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Moreno Valley, CA

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

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Home Price
$510,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,275
Housing Index
151.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Santa Barbara has 17.1% higher housing costs compared to Moreno Valley.

Income & Job Market

Moreno Valley, CA

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

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
Population
88,255
Top Industries
EducationTourismTechnologyHealthcareBiotechnology

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

66% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Barbara, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.