Moving from Fresno, CA to Simi Valley, CA
It is a 216 mi drive, roughly 4h 6m, between Fresno, CA and Simi Valley, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
216 mi · 4h 6m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fresno | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Simi Valley runs about 8.2% more expensive overall than Fresno — RPP 102.158 → 110.534.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $391,328 in Fresno to $844,909 in Simi Valley, a 8.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fresno +0.1%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fresno | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 16.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.0°F vs 66.3°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Simi Valley sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fresno | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $66,804 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.84 |
Simi Valley households earn about 8.2% more than Fresno at the median — $66,804 → $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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fresno 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 216 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fresno vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $66,804 in Fresno — a 76.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Fresno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 8.2% higher than Fresno (110.534 vs 102.158, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Fresno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $44,530 in the Fresno MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 408,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Fresno, CA?
The driving distance is 216 mi and the route typically takes 4h 6m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Fresno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $391,328 in Fresno — a 115.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Fresno and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 65.0°F in Fresno (1.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 11.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fresno.
City profiles: Fresno, CA · Simi Valley, CA.