San Diego 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Simi Valley
18.2%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Simi Valley
10.7%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Simi Valley
27.1%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 125,769 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 41.8 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 18.2% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 5.7% | 1.4% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 10.7% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 27.1% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Simi Valley
$53,828
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
Simi Valley
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Simi Valley
37.5%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $53,828 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 37.5% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Simi Valley
$839,862
Simi Valley +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $839,862 | Simi Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Simi Valley
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Simi Valley
2388
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, 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
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Simi Valley
24.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Simi Valley
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Simi Valley
10.1%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 24.4% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.3% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.1% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, 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
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 31.0 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while simi Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $839,862. On public safety, Simi Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. 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, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Diego, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Diego, CAChicago, IL vs San Diego, CAHouston, TX vs San Diego, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Diego, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Diego, CA