Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Simi Valley, CA
🏆 Arvada leads 12 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$106,014
Violent Crime Index
75
Population
123,066
Simi Valley
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$112,144 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
34 ✓ Safer
Population
126,153 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Rent averages $696/mo less ($1,706 vs $2,402)
Homes cost $151k less ($553,000 vs $704,200)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (3.8%)
More college-educated — 47.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Simi Valley
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 95°F
Cons
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Median income trails Simi Valley by $6,130/yr
Simi Valley, CA
Pros
55% less violent crime than Arvada
Violent crime is well below the national average (129.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 47°F
Households earn $6,130 more per year on average
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,402/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $704,200
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.5)
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Arvada
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 113.5 (100 = US avg)
Arvada
Median Home Value
$151k less
$553,000 vs $704,200
Arvada
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
3.8% vs 4.4% unemployment
Simi Valley
Median Income
$6,130
$112,144 vs $106,014/yr
Simi Valley
Violent Crime
55% lower
129.1 vs 285.6 per 100k
Simi Valley
Summer Heat
6.9°F warmer
July avg high 95.1°F vs 88.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Simi Valley, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $704,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,402⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 | $112,144 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 4.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min ✓ Shorter | 28.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% ✓ Higher | 14.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 | 38 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 44 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | B- (94) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% ✓ Higher | 36.0% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 91.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | Simi Valley Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 69.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F | 95.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" | 17.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 126,153 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 41.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 72.8% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% | 20.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 16.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Simi Valley's 113.5 (US average = 100).
Arvada is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arvada leads 12 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 12 and Simi Valley wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arvada to Simi Valley or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $704,200 median home), income ($106,014 vs $112,144), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Simi Valley, CA are about 841 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.