Simi Valley CA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Simi Valley
125,769
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Simi Valley
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Simi Valley
41.8
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Simi Valley
1.4%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Simi Valley
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 107,699 | Simi Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 18.2% | 4.7% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 63.3% | 49.6% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 1.4% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 10.7% | 2.6% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 27.1% | 5.2% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Simi Valley
37.5%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $117,703 | $48,536 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $53,828 | $31,324 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.0% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.7% | 23.8% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.5% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Simi Valley
$839,862
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $839,862 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.0% | 45.1% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
16.3%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.4% | 42.6% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.0% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 21.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 14.7% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Simi Valley
31.0 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.0 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Simi Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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