Knoxville 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)
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
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
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Simi Valley
63.3%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 125,769 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 41.8 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 72.2% | 63.3% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 1.4% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Simi Valley
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.5% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $839,862 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Simi Valley
503
Simi Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Knoxville, 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 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.3% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, 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
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 31.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Simi Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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