Fort Lauderdale 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Simi Valley
41.8
Simi Valley +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Simi Valley
18.2%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 125,769 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 41.8 | Simi Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 18.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 28.8% | 1.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Simi Valley
$53,828
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Simi Valley
37.5%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $53,828 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 37.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $839,862 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Simi Valley
16.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 31.0 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale 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%.
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