Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Durham
44.0%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 125,769 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 41.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 44.0% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 34.4% | 1.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Simi Valley
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Simi Valley
37.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.5% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 37.5% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $839,862 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Durham, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Simi Valley
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Simi Valley
16.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.3% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.3% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 31.0 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Durham 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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