Simi Valley CA vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Simi Valley
125,769
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Simi Valley
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Simi Valley
41.8
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Simi Valley
1.4%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Simi Valley
27.1%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Simi Valley
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 18.2% | 13.7% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 63.3% | 58.2% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 1.4% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 10.7% | 3.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 27.1% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $117,703 | $54,546 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $53,828 | $31,152 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.7% | 18.8% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.5% | 30.2% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Simi Valley
$839,862
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $839,862 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.0% | 51.7% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
16.3%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.4% | 33.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 18.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.5% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Simi Valley
31.0 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.0 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson 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 Tucson 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%.
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