Salt Lake City UT 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)
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
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
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Simi Valley
63.3%
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 125,769 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 41.8 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 70.5% | 63.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 2.7% | 1.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Simi Valley
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
Simi Valley
37.5%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,925 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,642 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.9% | 37.5% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,126 | $839,862 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.8% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 503 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2388 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Simi Valley
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Simi Valley
10.1%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.1% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 min | 31.0 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
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