Simi Valley CA vs South Bend IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Simi Valley, CA
California · Population: 125,769
- Median HH Income$117,703
- Median Home Price$839,862
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+37.5%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Simi Valley
125,769
Simi Valley +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Simi Valley
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Simi Valley
41.8
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Simi Valley
1.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Simi Valley
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 102,866 | Simi Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 18.2% | 8.9% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 63.3% | 54.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 1.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 10.7% | 1.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 27.1% | 17.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $117,703 | $52,512 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $53,828 | $29,511 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.0% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.7% | 22.6% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.5% | 29.4% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Simi Valley
$839,862
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $839,862 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.0% | 58.8% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
16.3%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.4% | 39.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 15.2% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 20.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.6% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Simi Valley
75.0%
Simi Valley +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Simi Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Simi Valley
31.0 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.0 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Simi Valley, CALos Angeles, CA vs Simi Valley, CAChicago, IL vs Simi Valley, CAHouston, TX vs Simi Valley, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Simi Valley, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Simi Valley, CA