Simi Valley CA vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Simi Valley
125,769
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Simi Valley
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Simi Valley
41.8
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Simi Valley
18.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Simi Valley
1.4%
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Sunnyvale +
Asian
Simi Valley
10.7%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Simi Valley
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 18.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 63.3% | 30.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Asian | 10.7% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 27.1% | 16.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Simi Valley
$117,703
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Simi Valley
$53,828
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Simi Valley
$77,230
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Simi Valley
4.5%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Simi Valley
6.7%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Simi Valley
37.5%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $117,703 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $53,828 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.7% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.5% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Simi Valley
$839,862
Simi Valley +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $839,862 | $2,144,024 | Simi Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.0% | 43.8% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
503
Sunnyvale
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
2388
Sunnyvale
2388
Tie
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sunnyvale, 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
Simi Valley
24.4%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.3%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Simi Valley
16.3%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
7.4%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
16.3%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.1%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.4% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Simi Valley
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sunnyvale, 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
Simi Valley
31.0 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.0 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while simi Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $839,862. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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