Skyline of Simi Valley
Cost of Living: 145 126,000

Simi Valley, CA, US

Suburban Ventura County city with Ronald Reagan Library and family-friendly neighborhoods.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Simi Valley is a city in CA with a population of 126,000. Suburban Ventura County city with Ronald Reagan Library and family-friendly neighborhoods. Housing is notably more expensive than the national average. The overall cost of living is above the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6b growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 280 sunny days a year.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 145

Very High vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 170

Very Expensive

Median Income $88,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.5%

Job market health

Simi Valley vs US Average

Cost of Living
Simi Valley: 145
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Simi Valley: 170
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Simi Valley: 8%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 8.0%
  • Sales Tax: 10.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $88,000
  • Unemployment: 3.5%
  • Population: 126,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 280/year
  • Summer High: 90°F
  • Winter Low: 45°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6b

Housing

  • Median Home: $700,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1800/mo

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Cost of Living

Simi Valley's cost of living index is 145 (US average = 100).

CategorySimi ValleyNational AverageDifference
Overall145100+45.0%
Housing170100+70.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$700,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1800/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$2,250/mo
Price per Sq Ft$466

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Simi Valley:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$243Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$25Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$28Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$95Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$75Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$30Private service
Total Utilities$496Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Simi Valley scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
145
Rent
$1800
Sunny Days
280
Tax
8%
Unemployment
3.5%
Climate
90°F / 45°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
126,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Simi Valley has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January65°F45°F2.5"
April75°F60°F2.8"
July90°F65°F1.5"
October70°F63°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6b

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Simi Valley faces the following natural hazards:

Wildfire Extreme Risk

Frequent and severe wildfire seasons.

Earthquake High Risk

Located on the San Andreas Fault system with frequent seismic activity.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat in inland and desert regions.

Drought High Risk

Frequent and severe drought conditions.

Landslide High Risk

Coastal and mountainous regions with frequent landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Sierra Nevada with frequent avalanches.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods and river flooding.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in desert regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 8%
  • Sales Tax: 10%
  • Property Tax: ~0.75% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.5%.

Schools & Education

48/100
School Quality Score
Better than 6% of US cities
?
40
Total Schools
15.2:1
Student:Teacher
87.8%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Demographics

The population of Simi Valley is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
10.3%
Black or African American
1.3%
Hispanic or Latino
27.1%
Native American
0.2%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.2%
Other
0.5%
Two or more races
4.9%
White
55.5%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
37.4%
High school graduate
19.7%
Less than high school
9.1%
Some college
33.8%

Religion

Buddhist
2.0%
Christian
58.0%
Hindu
2.0%
Jewish
3.0%
Muslim
2.0%
Unaffiliated
33.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Simi Valley, CA, US?

The cost of living index in Simi Valley is 145, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Simi Valley?

The median home price in Simi Valley is $700,000. The housing index is 170.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Simi Valley is approximately $1800/mo.

Does Simi Valley, CA have income tax?

Simi Valley is in CA, which has an income tax rate of 8%.

What is the climate like in Simi Valley?

Simi Valley enjoys approximately 280 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 90°F, while winter lows can drop to around 45°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.