Cost of Living: Simi Valley, CA vs Allentown, PA (2026)

Simi Valley

California
200
VS

Allentown

Pennsylvania
79

Simi Valley is 121% more expensive than Allentown.

$2,513/mo ↑ 98%
Median Rent
$1,269/mo ↓ 50%
$117,703/yr ↑ 120%
Median Income
$53,403/yr ↓ 55%
$753,500 ↑ 299%
Home Value
$188,900 ↓ 75%
$2,576/mo ↑ 107%
Owner Costs
$1,243/mo ↓ 52%
125,769
Population
125,320

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
3.07%
7.25%
Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.49%

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Simi Valley, CA and Allentown, PA, the overall cost of living indices are 200 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,244/month cheaper in Allentown, saving renters about $14,928/year.

Median household income is $64,300/year higher in Simi Valley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Simi Valley is $753,500 compared to $188,900 in Allentown.

Pennsylvania has a lower income tax rate, making Allentown slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Simi Valley vs Allentown — common questions

Is Simi Valley or Allentown cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Allentown is cheaper to live in with an index of 79 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Simi Valley and Allentown?
Median rent in Simi Valley is $2,513/month and in Allentown it's $1,269/month — a difference of $1,244/month.
Which city has higher income, Simi Valley or Allentown?
Median household income is $117,703 in Simi Valley and $53,403 in Allentown. Median household income is $64,300/year higher in Simi Valley.
How do taxes compare between California and Pennsylvania?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Pennsylvania has 3.07% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.49% property tax.
Should I move to Simi Valley or Allentown?
It depends on your priorities. Simi Valley has a cost index of 200 with median rent of $2,513/mo, while Allentown has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,269/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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