Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Simi Valley
18.2%
White
Providence
40.7%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Simi Valley
27.1%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 125,769 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 41.8 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 18.2% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 13.3% | 1.4% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 27.1% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $839,862 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Providence, RI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 503 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2388 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | 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.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 31.0 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
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