Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 125,769 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 41.8 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 58.3% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.4% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Simi Valley
37.5%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 37.5% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $839,862 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Simi Valley
503
Simi Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 503 | Simi Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2388 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Simi Valley
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.3% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 31.0 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Simi Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
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