Moving from Lancaster, CA to Simi Valley, CA
Relocating between Lancaster, CA and Simi Valley, CA is a 64 mi drive β 1h 19m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
64 mi Β· 1h 19m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 14, CA 138, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Palmdale, El Monte, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lancaster | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Lancaster and Simi Valley sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $465,847 in Lancaster to $844,909 in Simi Valley, a 2.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lancaster -2.1%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lancaster | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.8" | 16.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.1Β°F vs 66.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 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 1991β2020 (stations: LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lancaster | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $76,083 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.7% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.84 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.7% β $76,083 β $117,703 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 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.
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.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Lancaster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $50,490 in the Lancaster MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Lancaster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 2.7% lower than Lancaster (110.534 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Lancaster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $465,847 in Lancaster β a 81.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lancaster 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 64 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Lancaster, CA?
The driving distance is 64 mi and the route typically takes 1h 19m via CA 14 and CA 138. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lancaster vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $76,083 in Lancaster β a 54.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lancaster.
City profiles: Lancaster, CA Β· Simi Valley, CA.