Simi Valley CA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Simi Valley
125,769
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Simi Valley
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Simi Valley
41.8
Surprise
41.6
Surprise +
Foreign Born
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Simi Valley
63.3%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Simi Valley
1.4%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Simi Valley
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 41.6 | Surprise + |
| Foreign Born | 18.2% | 6.8% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 63.3% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 10.7% | 2.6% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 27.1% | 19.2% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Simi Valley
4.5%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $117,703 | $93,371 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $53,828 | $39,604 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.7% | 7.8% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.5% | 31.0% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Simi Valley
$839,862
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Simi Valley
73.0%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $839,862 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.0% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
503
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
2388
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Simi Valley
16.3%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
16.3%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.4% | 29.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.2% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.4% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Simi Valley
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Simi Valley
31.0 min
Simi Valley +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.0 min | 32.8 min | Simi Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
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