Cost of Living: Simi Valley, CA vs College Station, TX (2026)

Simi Valley

California
200
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Simi Valley is 120% more expensive than College Station.

$2,513/mo ↑ 115%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 54%
$117,703/yr ↑ 127%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 56%
$753,500 ↑ 131%
Home Value
$326,500 ↓ 57%
$2,576/mo ↑ 106%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 51%
125,769
Population
122,280

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Simi Valley, CA and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 200 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,345/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $16,140/year.

Median household income is $65,927/year higher in Simi Valley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Simi Valley is $753,500 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

Texas has no state income tax, giving College Station residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Simi Valley vs College Station — common questions

Is Simi Valley or College Station cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, College Station is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Simi Valley and College Station?
Median rent in Simi Valley is $2,513/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $1,345/month.
Which city has higher income, Simi Valley or College Station?
Median household income is $117,703 in Simi Valley and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $65,927/year higher in Simi Valley.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Simi Valley or College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Simi Valley has a cost index of 200 with median rent of $2,513/mo, while College Station has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,168/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Simi Valley details → View College Station details →

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