Moving from Aurora, IL to Simi Valley, CA
A 1998 mi cross-country move between Aurora and Simi Valley is 35h 15m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1998 mi · 35h 15m by car · IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Rockford, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.7% above Aurora — 103.595 → 110.534 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.7% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Aurora | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 16.4" |
Annual average temperature gap of 16.1°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Simi Valley — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.84 |
Simi Valley households earn about 6.7% more than Aurora at the median — $90,109 → $117,703 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Simi Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,690 | $47,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,940 | $34,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 29,050 | $37,470 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,520 | $39,670 |
| Management Occupations | 20,990 | $124,680 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Simi Valley average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.1°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Aurora and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 50.2°F in Aurora (16.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 27.9 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 39.5 in.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 6.7% higher than Aurora (110.534 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $316,958 in Aurora — a 166.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $90,109 in Aurora — a 30.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 1998 mi and the route typically takes 35h 15m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Simi Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1998 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL · Simi Valley, CA.