Simi Valley CA vs Thousand Oaks 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%
Thousand Oaks, CA
California · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,053,424
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Simi Valley
125,769
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Simi Valley
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Simi Valley
41.8
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Simi Valley
18.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Simi Valley
63.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Simi Valley
1.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Simi Valley
10.7%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Simi Valley
27.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Simi Valley
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 63.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 10.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 27.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Simi Valley
$117,703
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Simi Valley
$53,828
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Simi Valley
$77,230
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Simi Valley
4.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Simi Valley
6.7%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Simi Valley
37.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $117,703 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $53,828 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 6.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Simi Valley
$839,862
Simi Valley +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Simi Valley
73.0%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $839,862 | $1,053,424 | Simi Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
503
Thousand Oaks
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
2388
Thousand Oaks
2388
Tie
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Thousand Oaks, 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%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.3%
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Thousand Oaks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Simi Valley
16.3%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
7.4%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
16.3%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.1%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.4% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.1% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Simi Valley
75.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Thousand Oaks, 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
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $839,862. On public safety, Thousand Oaks is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Thousand Oaks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thousand Oaks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.0%.
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