Pittsburgh PA 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)
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
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
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Simi Valley
63.3%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 125,769 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 41.8 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 63.7% | 63.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 1.4% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Simi Valley
37.5%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 37.5% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $839,862 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2388 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Simi Valley
24.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Simi Valley
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Simi Valley
16.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Simi Valley
7.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Simi Valley
10.1%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Simi Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 31.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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