πA single person spends $3,245 per month in Simi Valley, CA vs $3,380 in Redlands, CA, rent included.
πA couple spends around $4,580 per month in Simi Valley, CA vs $4,703 in Redlands, CA, rent included.
πA family of three spends $5,914 per month in Simi Valley, CA vs $6,026 in Redlands, CA, rent included.
πSimi Valley, CA is about 4% cheaper than Redlands, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Simi Valley, CA and Redlands, CA sit above the global median β Simi Valley, CA by 142%, Redlands, CA by 152%.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Simi Valley, CA
Redlands, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$23.24$23.24
$18.28$18.28
27.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.0$69.0
$80.4$80.4
-14.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.09$10.09
$12.13$12.13
-16.82%
Cappuccino
$5.57$5.57
$5.31$5.31
4.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05$2.05
$2.78$2.78
-26.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05$2.05
$2.01$2.01
1.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.32$5.32
$7.27$7.27
-26.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.38$7.38
$7.98$7.98
-7.52%
π Groceries & Markets
Simi Valley, CA
Redlands, CA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15$1.15
$1.10$1.10
4.55%
White Bread(500g)
$2.45$2.45
$3.96$3.96
-38.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.59$4.59
$4.24$4.24
8.25%
Eggs
$4.61$4.61
$3.70$3.70
24.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.32$12.32
$12.30$12.30
0.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.90$10.90
$10.97$10.97
-0.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.53$14.53
$14.43$14.43
0.69%
Apples(1kg)
$2.10$2.10
$4.54$4.54
-53.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.92$1.92
$1.90$1.90
1.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.70$3.70
$5.15$5.15
-28.16%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.34$5.34
$5.71$5.71
-6.48%
Potato(1kg)
$2.60$2.60
$3.27$3.27
-20.49%
Onion(1kg)
$3.06$3.06
$2.95$2.95
3.73%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.00$2.00
$2.09$2.09
-4.31%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.03$2.03
$2.17$2.17
-6.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.57$11.57
$10.79$10.79
7.23%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.15$10.15
$12.39$12.39
-18.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69$1.69
$1.99$1.99
-15.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.75$4.75
$5.58$5.58
-14.87%
π Getting Around
Simi Valley, CA
Redlands, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.02$2.02
$2.02$2.02
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$34.83$34.83
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.09$4.09
$6.75$6.75
-39.41%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.10$2.10
$1.70$1.70
23.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$31.41$31.41
$29.60$29.60
6.11%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.24$1.24
$1.25$1.25
-0.80%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.3K$28.3K
$24.3K$24.3K
16.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K$26.9K
$23.9K$23.9K
12.81%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Simi Valley, CA
Redlands, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$204$204
$288$288
-29.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$54.5$54.5
$53.0$53.0
2.93%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.4$72.4
$61.0$61.0
18.66%
π Sport & Entertainment
Simi Valley, CA
Redlands, CA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.47$43.47
$42.39$42.39
2.55%
Cinema Ticket
$12.14$12.14
$14.93$14.93
-18.69%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Simi Valley, CA
Redlands, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,187$1,187
$1,192$1,192
-0.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$39.5K$39.5K
$23.2K$23.2K
70.00%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Simi Valley, CA
Redlands, CA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.5$69.5
$50.9$50.9
36.60%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.00$40.00
$34.01$34.01
17.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.9$75.9
$83.7$83.7
-9.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$159$159
$85.7$85.7
85.16%
π Accommodation & Living
Simi Valley, CA
Redlands, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,076$2,076
$1,934$1,934
7.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,992$1,992
$2,047$2,047
-2.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,431$2,431
$3,444$3,444
-29.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$3,300$3,300
$3,107$3,107
6.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$4,090$4,090
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$4,211$4,211
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Simi Valley, CA
Redlands, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,906$4,906
$4,871$4,871
0.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.69
6.64
0.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Simi Valley, CA: June 2, 2026
Last update for Redlands, CA: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $2,076 in Simi Valley, CA versus $1,934 in Redlands, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 1% higher in Simi Valley, CA, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Simi Valley, CA versus $80.0 in Redlands, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $356 vs $397 β 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
Simi Valley, CA vs Redlands, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Simi Valley, CA and Redlands, CA compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,245 in Simi Valley, CA, $3,380 in Redlands, CA β roughly 4% apart. Redlands, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Simi Valley, CA compared to Redlands, CA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,868 per month in Simi Valley, CA and $5,070 in Redlands, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Simi Valley, CA and Redlands, CA?
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.
Which city is more expensive overall: Simi Valley, CA or Redlands, CA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,245 in Simi Valley, CA and $3,380 in Redlands, CA. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Simi Valley, CA and Redlands, CA?
Kindergarten costs $1,187 per month in Simi Valley, CA and $1,192 in Redlands, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is feasible on a $2,000 budget?
$2,000 is a stretch for both β monthly costs hit $3,245 in Simi Valley, CA and $3,380 in Redlands, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Where should families live: Simi Valley, CA or Redlands, CA?
Families tend to lean toward Simi Valley, CA β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Simi Valley, CA or Redlands, CA safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Simi Valley, CA and Redlands, CA?
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.
Simi Valley, CA vs other spots: cost of living compared