Alexandria VA 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)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
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
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Simi Valley
18.2%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 125,769 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 41.8 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 18.2% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 21.1% | 1.4% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Simi Valley
$53,828
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Simi Valley
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Simi Valley
37.5%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $53,828 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.5% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 37.5% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Alexandria +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $839,862 | Alexandria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Simi Valley
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Simi Valley
16.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Simi Valley
10.1%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.3% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 16.3% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.1% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Simi Valley
31.0 min
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 31.0 min | Simi Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while alexandria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $679,447. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, 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%.
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