Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Simi Valley
18.2%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Simi Valley
27.1%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 125,769 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 41.8 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 18.2% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 20.4% | 1.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 27.1% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $839,862 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2388 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 31.0 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 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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