Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 125,769 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.8 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 11.7% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 76.8% | 1.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $839,862 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.3% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Simi Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 31.0 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA