Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
Simi Valley
125,769
Simi Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Simi Valley
63.3%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Simi Valley
27.1%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 125,769 | Simi Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 41.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 67.2% | 63.3% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 1.4% | Kent + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 27.1% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $839,862 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Simi Valley
2388
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Simi Valley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Simi Valley
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 31.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while kent offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $657,911. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
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