Aurora CO 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)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Simi Valley
18.2%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Simi Valley
27.1%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 125,769 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.8 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 18.2% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 15.8% | 1.4% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 27.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $839,862 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Simi Valley
503
Simi Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Simi Valley
2388
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Simi Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Simi Valley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Simi Valley
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.3% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | 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.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Aurora +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 31.0 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Simi Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
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