Milwaukee WI 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 125,769 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 41.8 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 36.5% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 38.6% | 1.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $839,862 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 503 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2388 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Simi Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 31.0 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 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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