Cost of Living Comparison Between Redlands, CA and Simi Valley, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Redlands, CA and Simi Valley, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,432 per month in Redlands, CA vs $3,440 in Simi Valley, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,758 per month in Redlands, CA vs $4,864 in Simi Valley, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,084 per month in Redlands, CA vs $6,288 in Simi Valley, CA, rent included.

Redlands, CA and Simi Valley, CA have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Redlands, CA and Simi Valley, CA sit above the global median – Redlands, CA by 150%, Simi Valley, CA by 150%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.56 $18.56

$23.28 $23.28

-20.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$69.4 $69.4

$68.6 $68.6

1.09%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.18 $14.18

$11.96 $11.96

18.56%

Cappuccino

$5.89 $5.89

$5.35 $5.35

10.09%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.51 $2.51

$1.98 $1.98

26.77%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21 $2.21

$2.26 $2.26

-2.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.81 $7.81

$7.43 $7.43

5.11%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.89 $9.89

$5.92 $5.92

67.06%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.02 $1.02

$1.19 $1.19

-14.29%

White Bread (500g)

$4.04 $4.04

$2.44 $2.44

65.57%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.28 $3.28

$4.74 $4.74

-30.80%

Eggs

$3.03 $3.03

$4.63 $4.63

-34.56%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.14 $12.14

$16.25 $16.25

-25.29%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.89 $10.89

$10.80 $10.80

0.83%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.05 $9.05

$17.68 $17.68

-48.81%

Apples (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$3.75 $3.75

43.47%

Banana (1kg)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.83 $1.83

29.51%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.08 $5.08

$3.57 $3.57

42.30%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.95 $3.95

$5.01 $5.01

-21.16%

Potato (1kg)

$3.09 $3.09

$2.59 $2.59

19.31%

Onion (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$2.60 $2.60

6.92%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.04 $2.04

$2.01 $2.01

1.49%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.12 $2.12

16.98%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.58 $10.58

$11.69 $11.69

-9.50%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.28 $12.28

$11.89 $11.89

3.28%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.98 $2.98

$2.24 $2.24

33.04%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83 $2.83

$3.09 $3.09

-8.41%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.78 $1.78

10.67%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$34.77 $34.77

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.93 $2.93

6.48%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.83 $1.83

$2.03 $2.03

-9.85%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$31.97 $31.97

$27.54 $27.54

16.09%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$1.32 $1.32

-1.52%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$37.0K $37.0K

$36.4K $36.4K

1.44%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.1K $27.1K

$26.3K $26.3K

3.19%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$270 $270

$231 $231

16.57%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$75.5 $75.5

$62.4 $62.4

20.95%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.9 $77.9

$77.5 $77.5

0.59%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.45 $25.45

$30.56 $30.56

-16.72%

Cinema Ticket

$17.28 $17.28

$12.22 $12.22

41.41%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,177 $1,177

$1,182 $1,182

-0.42%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.2K $32.2K

$35.8K $35.8K

-10.03%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.30 $49.30

$69.4 $69.4

-28.92%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.2 $50.2

$57.6 $57.6

-12.75%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.7 $85.7

$105 $105

-18.30%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$194 $194

$148 $148

31.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,929 $1,929

$2,151 $2,151

-10.31%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,010 $2,010

$1,987 $1,987

1.13%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,544 $3,544

$2,425 $2,425

46.14%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,113 $3,113

$3,267 $3,267

-4.70%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,997 $3,997

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,277 $4,277

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,882 $4,882

$4,891 $4,891

-0.19%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.52

-1.53%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Redlands, CA: August 30, 2026

Last update for Simi Valley, CA: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,929 in Redlands, CA versus $2,151 in Simi Valley, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 0% higher in Simi Valley, CA. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Redlands, CA versus $69.0 in Simi Valley, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $373 vs $386 – making Redlands, CA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Redlands, CA vs Simi Valley, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,149 per month in Redlands, CA and $5,160 in Simi Valley, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Redlands, CA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $1,177 per month in Redlands, CA and $1,182 in Simi Valley, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 4% more in Simi Valley, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,432 in Redlands, CA and $3,440 in Simi Valley, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Redlands, CA – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Redlands, CA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Simi Valley, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.