Arcata, CA vs Simi Valley, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Arcata
65.5
#1626 nationally
Simi Valley
67.3
#1445 nationally
Simi Valley leads in crime level (3.5 vs 13.9). Simi Valley leads in median household income ($112,144 vs $43,444). Arcata leads in average commute (18.4 min vs 28.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arcata, CA | Simi Valley, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.5 (#1626) | 67.3 (#1445) |
| Population | 19,012 | 125,113 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $480,134 | $841,774 |
| Median Household Income | $43,444 | $112,144 |
| Average Commute | 18.4 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 13.9 | 3.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 176 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+15.1 |
D
65.5 Score
Arcata, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$480,134
Population
19,012
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
48
Pacific
View Arcata, CA →
D+
67.3 Score
Simi Valley, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$841,774
Population
125,113
Crime
Low
Walk Score
39
Pacific
View Simi Valley, CA →