Living in Simi Valley, CA
Simi Valley is the 237th-largest city in the US, home to about 125,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (110.5 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 124,861-1.2% since 2020
- Median home value
- $823,8006.7 years of median income
- Median rent
- $2,579/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $122,081median, per year
- Price level
- 110.5US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 70° / 95°lows 43° / 61°
- Average commute
- 27 min19% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: Ventura County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 768 ft
Metro area: Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
Cost of living in Simi Valley
The median home in Simi Valley is worth $823,800 and the median household earns $122,081 a year, so a typical home costs about 6.7 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,579 a month, about 25% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area at 110.5, with housing at 171.1 and goods at 105.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $82,900 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in Simi Valley?
Simi Valley weather
Average highs run from 70°F in January to 95°F in July, and January nights average 43°F. It gets 16 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 115 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are October to January and March to May.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Simi Valley
People and work
The median resident is 41.9 years old, and 39% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 73% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 27 minutes; 19% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 41.9496th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 39%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 73%of households
- People per sq mile
- 3,00541.5 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%1% walk, 0.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 5%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 6.4%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1980median year
Who moves to Simi Valley, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from San Diego (San Diego County), Riverside (Riverside County) and San Bernardino (San Bernardino County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to San Diego (San Diego County), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Ventura County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: inland flooding, wildfire, earthquake, landslide.
Home prices
-1.3% in a year
Up 29% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
52% good days
8 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Simi Valley
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Dodger Stadium 34 miles
- University of California-Los Angeles 24 miles
- University of Southern California 33 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Simi Valley
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Burbank Airport BUR | 25 mi | 3,383,237 |
| Los Angeles International Airport LAX | 31 mi | 37,760,834 |
| Hawthorne Municipal Airport HHR | 35 mi | 6,417 |
| Long Beach Airport LGB | 48 mi | 2,031,810 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Simi Valley
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Los Angeles | 24 mi | 33,475 | $14,659 | 93% |
| California State University-Northridge | 15 mi | 32,691 | $6,346 | 57% |
| Santa Monica College | 25 mi | 21,440 | $1,693 | n/a |
| College of the Canyons | 15 mi | 15,832 | $19,542 | n/a |
| Los Angeles Pierce College | 13 mi | 13,436 | $3,150 | 47% |
| Moorpark College | 4 mi | 12,082 | n/a | n/a |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Simi Valley
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 24, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 29 and the first frost comes around December 15.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Woodland Hills Pierce College, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Simi Valley.
Wildfire smoke in Simi Valley
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Simi Valley on about 36 days a year, including about 7 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Simi Valley
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 44,457 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Simi Valley
Downtown Simi Valley is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simi Valley Unified School District | K to 12 | 15,444 | 27 | 21.9 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Los Angeles Unified School District (408,026 students), William S. Hart Union High School District (20,493 students), Oxnard Union High School District (16,039 students), Conejo Valley Unified School District (15,724 students), Las Virgenes Unified School District (9,767 students), Newhall Elementary School District (6,022 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Simi Valley's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Simi Valley's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Folsom, CA68% matchCompare
- Rocklin, CA65% matchCompare
- Concord, CA65% matchCompare
- Tracy, CA64% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Simi Valley
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Simi Valley
- Mount Waterman 49 miles
- Buckhorn Ski Club 50 miles
- Kratka Ridge 51 miles
- Mountain High 63 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Simi Valley
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data 7 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 70°F.
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 6.7 years of median household income.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 11% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 115 days a year reach 90°F.
Simi Valley report card from locals
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Cities near Simi Valley
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thousand Oaks, CA | 6 mi | 122,230 | $991,600 | 110.5 | Compare |
| Santa Clarita, CA | 16 mi | 228,430 | $784,700 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Oxnard, CA | 23 mi | 199,651 | $652,700 | 110.5 | Compare |
| Santa Monica, CA | 24 mi | 90,082 | $1,755,500 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Ventura, CA | 27 mi | 109,914 | $827,300 | 110.5 | Compare |
| Burbank, CA | 28 mi | 102,988 | $1,089,100 | 113.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Simi Valley with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Simi Valley a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 7 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes, 115 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Simi Valley side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Simi Valley?
The Census Bureau estimates Simi Valley had 124,861 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 126,375 in April 2020 (-1.2%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Simi Valley?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $82,900 in the Simi Valley area. The median household here earns $122,081.
When is the best time to visit Simi Valley?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, October to January and March to May are the most comfortable months. July averages 95°F and January 70°F for daytime highs.
What county is Simi Valley in?
Simi Valley is in Ventura County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Simi Valley in?
Simi Valley is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Simi Valley?
About 768 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Simi Valley. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Woodland Hills Pierce College, CA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.