Mesquite TX 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)
Mesquite, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$263,551
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
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
Mesquite
148,848
Mesquite +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesquite
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Mesquite
33.4
Mesquite +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Mesquite
21.0%
Mesquite +
Simi Valley
18.2%
White
Mesquite
37.8%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Mesquite
24.7%
Mesquite +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Mesquite
3.0%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Mesquite
44.7%
Mesquite +
Simi Valley
27.1%
Spanish at Home
Mesquite
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 125,769 | Mesquite + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 41.8 | Mesquite + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 18.2% | Mesquite + |
| White | 37.8% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 24.7% | 1.4% | Mesquite + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 27.1% | Mesquite + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesquite
$71,843
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Mesquite
$29,291
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesquite
$63,758
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Mesquite
4.8%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Mesquite
12.4%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesquite
18.5%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesquite
$263,551
Mesquite +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Mesquite
63.2%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $263,551 | $839,862 | Mesquite + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesquite
442
Mesquite +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesquite
2339
Mesquite +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Mesquite + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Mesquite + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
46.4%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
12.9%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesquite
18.7%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
23.4%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
13.4%
Mesquite +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
18.5%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.3% | Mesquite + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesquite
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesquite
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | 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.)
Mesquite
9.2 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesquite
55.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Simi Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesquite
35.6 min
Simi Valley
31.0 min
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 31.0 min | Simi Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while mesquite offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $263,551. On public safety, Mesquite is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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