Lafayette LA 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)
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
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
Lafayette
121,537
Simi Valley
125,769
Simi Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 125,769 | Simi Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 41.8 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 59.1% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 28.6% | 1.4% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Simi Valley
37.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 37.5% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $839,862 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Simi Valley
503
Simi Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Simi Valley
2388
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Simi Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Simi Valley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | 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
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 31.0 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Simi Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. 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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