San Rafael, 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.
San Rafael
58.5
#1954 nationally
Simi Valley
67.3
#1445 nationally
Simi Valley leads in crime level (3.5 vs 15.3). San Rafael leads in walk score (53 vs 39). Simi Valley leads in cost of living index (176 vs 213).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | San Rafael, CA | Simi Valley, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 58.5 (#1954) | 67.3 (#1445) |
| Population | 59,555 | 125,113 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,332,023 | $841,774 |
| Median Household Income | $113,839 | $112,144 |
| Average Commute | 27.5 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 53 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 15.3 | 3.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 213 | 176 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+63.9 | D+15.1 |
F
58.5 Score
San Rafael, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,332,023
Population
59,555
Crime
High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View San Rafael, 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 →
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