Albany GA vs Simi Valley CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Simi Valley, CA
California · Population: 125,769
- Median HH Income$117,703
- Median Home Price$839,862
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+37.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Simi Valley
125,769
Simi Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Albany
18.9%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 125,769 | Simi Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.8 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 18.9% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 76.3% | 1.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $839,862 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Albany, GA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.3% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Simi Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 31.0 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Simi Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, GA vs New York, NYAlbany, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, GA vs Chicago, ILAlbany, GA vs Houston, TXAlbany, GA vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, GA vs Philadelphia, PA