Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Minneapolis, MN
VS
Simi Valley, CA
🏆 Simi Valley leads 14 of 23 categories
Minneapolis
Minnesota
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,332
Violent Crime Index
305⚠ High
Population
426,877 ✓ Larger
Simi Valley
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$112,144 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
34 ✓ Safer
Population
126,153
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
Homes cost $376k less ($328,700 vs $704,200)
Rent averages $1135/mo less ($1,267 vs $2,402)
More college-educated — 53.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Simi Valley
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 95°F
Cons
Median income trails Simi Valley by $35,812/yr
Violent crime (1160.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (5142.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 4.4%)
Simi Valley, CA
Pros
89% less violent crime than Minneapolis
Households earn $35,812 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 22°F
Violent crime is well below the national average (129.1 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (4.4%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $704,200
Higher rents — median is $2,402/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.5)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Minneapolis
Key Differences at a Glance
Minneapolis
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 104.5 vs 113.5 (100 = US avg)
Minneapolis
Median Home Value
$376k less
$328,700 vs $704,200
Simi Valley
Median Income
$35,812
$112,144 vs $76,332/yr
Simi Valley
Violent Crime
89% lower
129.1 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Simi Valley
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
4.4% vs 5.8% unemployment
Simi Valley
Summer Heat
12.0°F warmer
July avg high 95.1°F vs 83.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Simi Valley, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $328,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $704,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,267 ✓ Lower | $2,402⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,332 | $112,144 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.9 min ✓ Shorter | 28.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 19.6% ✓ Higher | 14.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 281⚠ High | 38 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 305⚠ High | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 245⚠ High | 44 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | B- (94) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 53.5% ✓ Higher | 36.0% |
| High School or Higher | 90.8% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Minneapolis Public School District | Simi Valley Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 21.7°F | 69.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.1°F | 95.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 33.3" | 17.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 40.4" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 426,877 ✓ Larger | 126,153 |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 41.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 72.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.1% | 20.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.7% | 16.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Minneapolis's cost of living index is 104.5 vs Simi Valley's 113.5 (US average = 100).
Minneapolis is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Simi Valley leads 14 of 23 categories. Minneapolis wins 9 and Simi Valley wins 14. 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 Minneapolis to Simi Valley or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($328,700 vs $704,200 median home), income ($76,332 vs $112,144), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Minneapolis, MN and Simi Valley, CA are about 1,535 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.