Simi Valley CA vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Simi Valley
125,769
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Simi Valley
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Simi Valley
41.8
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Simi Valley
1.4%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Simi Valley
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 18.2% | 12.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 63.3% | 59.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 1.4% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 10.7% | 8.8% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 27.1% | 13.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $117,703 | $83,857 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $53,828 | $44,756 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.7% | 12.0% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.5% | 33.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Simi Valley
$839,862
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $839,862 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.0% | 56.5% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
2388
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Simi Valley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.4% | 37.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.9% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 18.7% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 11.9% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Simi Valley
31.0 min
Simi Valley +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.0 min | 31.1 min | Simi Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
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