Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Simi Valley
125,769
Simi Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Simi Valley
63.3%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bend +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Simi Valley
10.7%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 125,769 | Simi Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 41.8 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 65.5% | 63.3% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 1.4% | Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 10.7% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Simi Valley
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Simi Valley
37.5%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.5% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 37.5% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Bend +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $839,862 | Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Simi Valley
2388
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Simi Valley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Simi Valley
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Simi Valley
16.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Simi Valley
7.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Simi Valley
10.1%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.3% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.3% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 7.4% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.1% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Simi Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 31.0 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $735,193. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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