Moving from Centennial, CO to Simi Valley, CA
It is 1044 mi between Centennial and Simi Valley β roughly 18h 40m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1044 mi Β· 18h 40m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, CA 18 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura, Los Angeles, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 105.782 vs 110.534 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.5% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $649,086 to $844,909 moving to Simi Valley.
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 16.4" |
Expect 16.1Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Simi Valley gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.84 |
Households in Simi Valley earn about 4.5% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Colorado 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 95Β°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 (16.1Β°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 β 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
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 4.5% higher than Centennial (110.534 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 30.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1044 mi and the route typically takes 18h 40m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Simi Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1044 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 8.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Simi Valley, CA.