Johnson City TN 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)
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
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
Johnson City
71,455
Simi Valley
125,769
Simi Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Simi Valley
63.3%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 125,769 | Simi Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.8 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 84.0% | 63.3% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 1.4% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Simi Valley
37.5%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 37.5% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $839,862 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Simi Valley
503
Simi Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Simi Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 31.0 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Simi Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. 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
Johnson City, TN vs New York, NYJohnson City, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Johnson City, TNHouston, TX vs Johnson City, TNJohnson City, TN vs Phoenix, AZJohnson City, TN vs Philadelphia, PA