Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Simi Valley
125,769
Simi Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Simi Valley
41.8
Simi Valley +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Simi Valley
63.3%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 125,769 | Simi Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 41.8 | Simi Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 70.3% | 63.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 1.4% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $839,862 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 31.0 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
Compare More Cities
Clearwater, FL vs New York, NYClearwater, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Clearwater, FLClearwater, FL vs Houston, TXClearwater, FL vs Phoenix, AZClearwater, FL vs Philadelphia, PA