Simi Valley CA vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Simi Valley
125,769
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Simi Valley
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Simi Valley
41.8
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Simi Valley
18.2%
Sparks
N/A
White
Simi Valley
63.3%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Simi Valley
1.4%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Simi Valley
10.7%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Simi Valley
27.1%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Simi Valley
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 63.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 10.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 27.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Simi Valley
$117,703
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Simi Valley
$53,828
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Simi Valley
4.5%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Simi Valley
6.7%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Simi Valley
37.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $117,703 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $53,828 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 6.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Simi Valley
$839,862
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Simi Valley
73.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $839,862 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
503
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
2388
Simi Valley +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Simi Valley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.3%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.4% | 28.6% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 18.1% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.8% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.9% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Sparks
8.3 in
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Simi Valley
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Simi Valley
31.0 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sparks offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $530,668. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 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