Amarillo TX 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)
Amarillo, TX
Texas · Population: 200,945
- Median HH Income$62,469
- Median Home Price$208,517
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+25.1%
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
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Simi Valley
63.3%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Simi Valley
27.1%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 125,769 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 41.8 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 68.0% | 63.3% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.4% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 27.1% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Simi Valley
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.5% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $839,862 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Simi Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 31.0 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Amarillo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, 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
Amarillo, TX vs New York, NYAmarillo, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAmarillo, TX vs Chicago, ILAmarillo, TX vs Houston, TXAmarillo, TX vs Phoenix, AZAmarillo, TX vs Philadelphia, PA