Simi Valley CA vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Simi Valley
125,769
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Simi Valley
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Simi Valley
41.8
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Simi Valley
18.2%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Simi Valley
1.4%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Simi Valley
27.1%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Simi Valley
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 18.2% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 63.3% | 36.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 1.4% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 10.7% | 4.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 27.1% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Simi Valley
$77,230
Visalia
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $117,703 | $70,663 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $53,828 | $26,955 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 11.6% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.7% | 20.0% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.5% | 12.4% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Simi Valley
$839,862
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
Visalia
58.5%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $839,862 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.0% | 58.5% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
503
Visalia
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
2388
Visalia
2388
Tie
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Visalia, 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%
Simi Valley +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.4% | 32.2% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.2% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 17.9% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.0% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.0% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Visalia
10.9 in
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Simi Valley
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Visalia, 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
Simi Valley +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.0 min | 41.6 min | Simi Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Visalia is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Visalia 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%.
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