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 $3,380 per month in Redlands, CA vs $3,245 in Simi Valley, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,703 per month in Redlands, CA vs $4,580 in Simi Valley, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,026 per month in Redlands, CA vs $5,914 in Simi Valley, CA, rent included.

Redlands, CA costs about 4% more than Simi Valley, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Redlands, CA and Simi Valley, CA sit above the global median – Redlands, CA by 152%, Simi Valley, CA by 142%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.28 $18.28

$23.24 $23.24

-21.34%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.4 $80.4

$69.0 $69.0

16.51%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.13 $12.13

$10.09 $10.09

20.22%

Cappuccino

$5.31 $5.31

$5.57 $5.57

-4.67%

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

$2.78 $2.78

$2.05 $2.05

35.61%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.01 $2.01

$2.05 $2.05

-1.95%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.27 $7.27

$5.32 $5.32

36.65%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.98 $7.98

$7.38 $7.38

8.13%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.10 $1.10

$1.15 $1.15

-4.35%

White Bread (500g)

$3.96 $3.96

$2.45 $2.45

61.63%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$4.59 $4.59

-7.63%

Eggs

$3.70 $3.70

$4.61 $4.61

-19.74%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.30 $12.30

$12.32 $12.32

-0.16%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.97 $10.97

$10.90 $10.90

0.64%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.43 $14.43

$14.53 $14.53

-0.69%

Apples (1kg)

$4.54 $4.54

$2.10 $2.10

116.19%

Banana (1kg)

$1.90 $1.90

$1.92 $1.92

-1.04%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.15 $5.15

$3.70 $3.70

39.19%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.71 $5.71

$5.34 $5.34

6.93%

Potato (1kg)

$3.27 $3.27

$2.60 $2.60

25.77%

Onion (1kg)

$2.95 $2.95

$3.06 $3.06

-3.59%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.09 $2.09

$2.00 $2.00

4.50%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.17 $2.17

$2.03 $2.03

6.90%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.79 $10.79

$11.57 $11.57

-6.74%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.39 $12.39

$10.15 $10.15

22.07%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$1.69 $1.69

17.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.58 $5.58

$4.75 $4.75

17.47%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.02 $2.02

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$34.83 $34.83

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.75 $6.75

$4.09 $4.09

65.04%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 $1.70

$2.10 $2.10

-19.05%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.60 $29.60

$31.41 $31.41

-5.76%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$1.24 $1.24

0.81%

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

$24.3K $24.3K

$28.3K $28.3K

-13.94%

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

$23.9K $23.9K

$26.9K $26.9K

-11.36%

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

$288 $288

$204 $204

40.95%

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

$53.0 $53.0

$54.5 $54.5

-2.84%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.0 $61.0

$72.4 $72.4

-15.73%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.39 $42.39

$43.47 $43.47

-2.48%

Cinema Ticket

$14.93 $14.93

$12.14 $12.14

22.98%

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

$1,192 $1,192

$1,187 $1,187

0.48%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.2K $23.2K

$39.5K $39.5K

-41.18%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.9 $50.9

$69.5 $69.5

-26.79%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.01 $34.01

$40.00 $40.00

-14.98%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.7 $83.7

$75.9 $75.9

10.30%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$85.7 $85.7

$159 $159

-45.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,934 $1,934

$2,076 $2,076

-6.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,047 $2,047

$1,992 $1,992

2.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,444 $3,444

$2,431 $2,431

41.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,107 $3,107

$3,300 $3,300

-5.83%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,090 $4,090

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,211 $4,211

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,871 $4,871

$4,906 $4,906

-0.71%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.64

6.69

-0.75%

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

Last update for Redlands, CA: June 2, 2026

Last update for Simi Valley, CA: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,934 in Redlands, CA versus $2,076 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 1% higher in Simi Valley, CA, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $80.0 in Redlands, CA versus $69.0 in Simi Valley, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $397 vs $356 – making Simi Valley, 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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,380 in Redlands, CA, $3,245 in Simi Valley, CA – roughly 4% apart. Redlands, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,070 per month in Redlands, CA and $4,868 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 Simi Valley, CA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,380 in Redlands, CA and $3,245 in Simi Valley, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,192 per month in Redlands, CA and $1,187 in Simi Valley, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,380 in Redlands, CA and $3,245 in Simi Valley, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Simi Valley, 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 Simi Valley, CA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Redlands, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.