Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Simi Valley
125,769
Simi Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Simi Valley
41.8
Simi Valley +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Simi Valley
18.2%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Simi Valley
63.3%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Simi Valley
1.4%
Simi Valley +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Simi Valley
27.1%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 125,769 | Simi Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 41.8 | Simi Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 18.2% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 63.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 1.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 27.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Simi Valley
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Simi Valley
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Simi Valley
6.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 4.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 6.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Simi Valley
$839,862
Simi Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $839,862 | Simi Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Simi Valley
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Simi Valley
2388
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Simi Valley
16.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Simi Valley
10.1%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.3% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.1% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 31.0 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while simi Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $839,862. On public safety, Simi Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Chula Vista, CA vs New York, NYChula Vista, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Chula Vista, CAChula Vista, CA vs Houston, TXChula Vista, CA vs Phoenix, AZChula Vista, CA vs Philadelphia, PA