Simi Valley CA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Simi Valley
125,769
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Simi Valley
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Simi Valley
41.8
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
Waco
9.8%
White
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Simi Valley
1.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Simi Valley
27.1%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Simi Valley
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 18.2% | 9.8% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 63.3% | 54.0% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 1.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 10.7% | 2.0% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 27.1% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Simi Valley
4.5%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $117,703 | $51,468 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $53,828 | $28,819 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.7% | 24.0% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.5% | 28.6% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Simi Valley
$839,862
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $839,862 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.0% | 48.9% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
16.3%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.4% | 36.8% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.0% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 20.4% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 20.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 15.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Simi Valley
75.0%
Simi Valley +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Simi Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Simi Valley
31.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Simi Valley. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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%.
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