Simi Valley CA vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Simi Valley
125,769
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Simi Valley
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Simi Valley
41.8
Sterling Heights
41.5
Sterling Heights +
Foreign Born
Simi Valley
18.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Simi Valley
63.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Simi Valley
1.4%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Simi Valley
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 41.5 | Sterling Heights + |
| Foreign Born | 18.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 63.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 10.7% | 9.0% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 27.1% | 2.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $117,703 | $78,429 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $53,828 | $37,315 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.2% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.7% | 10.6% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.5% | 31.2% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Simi Valley
$839,862
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Simi Valley
73.0%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $839,862 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.0% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
7.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.4% | 36.0% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 17.2% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 15.3% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | 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.)
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Simi Valley
75.0%
Simi Valley +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 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
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.0 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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%.
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