In the Simi Valley vs Thousand Oaks schools comparison, Conejo Valley Unified holds a modest edge at the top of the range, with Westlake High ranked 189th in California by U.S. News versus 205th for Simi Valley's Santa Susana High. That 16 place gap costs roughly $225,000 in purchase price, since Thousand Oaks home values averaged $1,047,273 in July 2026 while Simi Valley's median sale price was $822,088. Simi Valley's second and third tier high schools trail Conejo Valley's, but its top magnet program outranks both Thousand Oaks High School and Newbury Park High School.
Key Takeaways
- Westlake High ranks 189th in California per U.S. News, versus 205th for Simi Valley's Santa Susana High, a 16 place gap.
- Thousand Oaks home values averaged $1,047,273 in July 2026, about $225,185 more than Simi Valley's median sale price of $822,088.
- Santa Susana High, a magnet campus, posts 58 percent math and 81 percent reading proficiency, beating Westlake High's 51 percent and 77 percent.
- Simi Valley Unified spends $13,348 per student annually, compared with $14,274 per student in Conejo Valley Unified, a gap of about $926 per child.
- Royal High School in Simi Valley carries an 8 out of 10 GreatSchools rating, a 93 percent graduation rate, and an average SAT score of 1230.
Most families comparing these two Ventura County cities assume they are choosing between good schools and great schools. The data says something more interesting. Simi Valley's flagship high school outperforms two of the three traditional high schools in Thousand Oaks, and it does so at a price point roughly 27 percent lower. The real difference is not the ceiling. It is the floor, the depth of the bench, and how much house your budget buys.
Which district ranks higher, Simi Valley or Thousand Oaks schools?
Both districts are almost identical in scale. Simi Valley Unified enrolls 15,444 students and spends $13,348 per student annually on a $266.4 million budget, while Conejo Valley Unified spends $14,274 per student on a nearly identical $267.7 million budget. That is a spending gap of about $926 per child per year, or roughly 7 percent.
GreatSchools notes that a larger number of schools in Conejo Valley Unified are rated above average in school quality, and its 28 campuses give families more elementary options. On state testing, Simi Valley Unified reports 37 percent of students proficient in math and 50 percent in reading, numbers that sit above the California average but below Conejo Valley's top campuses.
California High School Rank by U.S. News (Lower Bar Is Better)
0100200300400500205th189th358th412thSanta SusanaSimi ValleyWestlakeWestlake VillageNewbury ParkConejo ValleyThousand OaksConejo ValleySimi Valley UnifiedConejo Valley Unified
Source: U.S. News Best High Schools, California district rankings, 2026
How much more does a Thousand Oaks home cost than a Simi Valley home in 2026?
The tuition for Conejo Valley Unified is paid in your purchase price. Redfin recorded a median sale price of $822,088 in Simi Valley as of July 2026, down 0.95 percent year over year, while Zillow put the average Thousand Oaks home value at $1,047,273, up 1.0 percent. That $225,185 gap works out to about $1,139 more per month on principal and interest with 20 percent down at a 6.5 percent rate, plus roughly $2,477 more per year in property taxes under the 1 percent base rate and voter approved assessments administered by the Ventura County Assessor. Over a decade that premium exceeds $160,000, which is real money next to a 16 place ranking difference. Families who want the full side by side cost of living math between the two cities will find the gap widens once you add insurance and commuting.
Median Home Values, Simi Valley vs Thousand Oaks (2026)
$0$250K$500K$750K$1M$1.25M$822K$850K$854K$1.05MSimi Valleycitywide93065central SimiCentral T.O.neighborhoodThousand OakscitywideSimi ValleyThousand Oaks
Sources: Redfin (July 2026) and Zillow Home Value Index (July 31, 2026)
What are the best high schools in Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks?
Simi Valley's standout is Santa Susana High School on East Cochran Street, a magnet campus rated 10 out of 10 by GreatSchools with a 99 percent graduation rate, a 55 percent AP participation rate, and about 1,000 students. Its 58 percent math and 81 percent reading proficiency rates beat Westlake High's reported 51 percent and 77 percent. The catch is that Santa Susana is application based and draws districtwide, so a Simi Valley address does not guarantee a seat.
Royal High School, Simi's comprehensive campus serving Wood Ranch and the west end, carries an 8 out of 10 GreatSchools rating, a 93 percent graduation rate, and an average SAT of 1230. That is a strong school by any statewide measure, and it anchors the Simi neighborhoods that hold their value most reliably. On the Conejo side, Westlake High is a top rated campus with roughly 1,900 to 2,280 students, followed by Newbury Park High at 358th statewide with 52 percent AP participation, then Thousand Oaks High at 412th.
| Metric | Simi Valley Unified | Conejo Valley Unified |
|---|---|---|
| District enrollment | 15,444 | 16,703 |
| Campuses | 7 high schools among its K through 12 sites | 28 schools |
| Student to teacher ratio | 22 to 1 | 21.8 to 1 |
| Per pupil spending | $13,348 | $14,274 |
| Top high school (U.S. News, CA rank) | Santa Susana, 205th | Westlake, 189th |
| Flagship math proficiency | 58% (Santa Susana) | 51% (Westlake) |
| Flagship reading proficiency | 81% (Santa Susana) | 77% (Westlake) |
| Median sale price or value (2026) | $822,088 | $1,047,273 |
| Median price per square foot | $515 (93065) | $571 (Central Thousand Oaks) |
| Typical days on market | 43 | 34 |
What do families actually give up by choosing Simi Valley schools?
Three things, honestly. First, depth: Conejo Valley has more campuses rated above average, so the odds of landing at a strong neighborhood elementary are better across a wider footprint. Second, the AP and honors bench at Thousand Oaks High and Newbury Park High is deeper than at Simi's comprehensive campuses. Third, peer demographics differ, with about 30 percent of Santa Susana students economically disadvantaged compared with 17 percent at Newbury Park.
What Simi families gain is square footage, newer construction, and yard space. East Simi Valley posted a median sale price of $835,000 at $475 per square foot, nearly $100 per foot less than Central Thousand Oaks. That is why so many buyers are gravitating toward the Madera area's larger newer floor plans, and why families relocating out of Los Angeles keep landing here.
Which city should your family choose based on your priorities?
Choose Thousand Oaks if your child is aiming at Westlake High, you want the widest slate of above average elementary campuses, and the extra $225,000 does not compromise your savings rate. Weekends look like the Los Robles Trail system, Wildwood Regional Park, and dinner at Mastro's Steakhouse on Thousand Oaks Boulevard.
Choose Simi Valley if you want a competitive magnet option, a solid comprehensive high school in Royal, and $200,000 of budget left over. Weekends here mean the Chumash Trail and Corriganville Park under the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Presidential Drive, and Saturday mornings at Simi Valley Town Center. For a campus by campus breakdown, our guide to every public and private school in Simi Valley covers boundaries and enrollment windows in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions About Simi Valley vs Thousand Oaks Schools
Are Thousand Oaks schools better than Simi Valley schools?
At the top, marginally. Westlake High ranks 189th in California versus 205th for Santa Susana High in Simi Valley, and Conejo Valley Unified spends $14,274 per student versus $13,348 in Simi Valley Unified. But Santa Susana outranks both Newbury Park High, 358th, and Thousand Oaks High, 412th.
Can my child attend a Thousand Oaks school if we live in Simi Valley?
Interdistrict transfers between Simi Valley Unified and Conejo Valley Unified are sometimes approved, but they depend on space and are reviewed annually. Buying for a specific school is safer than buying on the hope of a transfer, which is why verifying attendance boundaries before you write an offer matters.
Which Simi Valley neighborhoods have the strongest schools?
Wood Ranch and the Long Canyon corridor feed Royal High School and consistently command the highest price per square foot in the city, while central Simi Valley in the 93065 zip code posted a median of $850,000 with homes averaging 43 days on market and about three offers each. West Simi Valley trades at $545 per square foot, the highest in town.
Does school quality affect resale value in Simi Valley?
Yes, and it shows up in days on market more than price. Homes in strong attendance areas move faster in the spring window when families are shopping ahead of enrollment deadlines, which is a key input in any Simi Valley listing strategy for 2026.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Simi Valley?
Davis Bartels and the DB Real Estate Group have served families across the Conejo Valley and Ventura County since 2009, with 500+ closed transactions and nearly $500 million in career sales volume, including a career-best 100 closings and $103M+ in 2025. Whether you're exploring your options or ready to make a move, reach out for a no pressure conversation about your goals.
Contact Davis: davisbartels.com or (805) 341-6125
