Albuquerque NM 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)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
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
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Albuquerque +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Simi Valley
27.1%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 125,769 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 41.8 | Albuquerque + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 55.3% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 27.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Simi Valley
37.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 37.5% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $839,862 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Simi Valley
503
Simi Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Simi Valley
2388
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Simi Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Simi Valley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Simi Valley
16.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.3% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 31.0 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Simi Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
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