Simi Valley CA vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Simi Valley
125,769
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Simi Valley
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Simi Valley
41.8
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Simi Valley
63.3%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Simi Valley
1.4%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Simi Valley
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 118,578 | Simi Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.8 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 18.2% | 5.7% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 63.3% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 1.4% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 10.7% | 1.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 27.1% | 8.9% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Simi Valley
37.5%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $117,703 | $63,900 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $53,828 | $46,062 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.6% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.7% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.5% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Simi Valley
$839,862
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $839,862 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.0% | 46.8% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
503
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
2388
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
16.3%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.4% | 42.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 17.4% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.8% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 14.4% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Simi Valley
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Simi Valley
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Simi Valley
31.0 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Simi Valley, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.0 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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%.
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