Fayetteville 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)
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 125,769 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 41.8 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 38.3% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 42.3% | 1.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $839,862 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, 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
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 31.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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%.
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