Palmdale CA 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)
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
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
Palmdale
44,998
Simi Valley
125,769
Simi Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Simi Valley
41.8
Simi Valley +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Simi Valley
63.3%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 125,769 | Simi Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 41.8 | Simi Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 69.3% | 63.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 1.4% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Simi Valley
$53,828
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Simi Valley
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Simi Valley
37.5%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $53,828 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 37.5% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $839,862 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Simi Valley
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Simi Valley
2388
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.3% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 31.0 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Simi Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. 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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