Simi Valley CA vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Simi Valley
125,769
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Simi Valley
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Simi Valley
41.8
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Simi Valley
1.4%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Simi Valley
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 18.2% | 13.9% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 63.3% | 60.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 1.4% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 10.7% | 9.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 27.1% | 23.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Simi Valley
37.5%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $117,703 | $77,643 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $53,828 | $42,371 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.7% | 16.2% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.5% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Simi Valley
$839,862
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $839,862 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.0% | 41.6% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
503
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
2388
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.3%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.1%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.4% | 27.2% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 16.6% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Simi Valley
31.0 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.0 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Tempe 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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