Moving from Memphis, TN to Simi Valley, CA
It is 1816 mi and 31h 33m from Memphis to Simi Valley — a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1816 mi · 31h 33m by car · TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 19.9% above Memphis — 92.179 → 110.534 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.9% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 16.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Simi Valley — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.84 |
Expect median household income to rise 19.9% — $51,211 → $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.
Moving between Tennessee 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 483.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Memphis and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 63.4°F in Memphis (2.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 54.9 in.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 19.9% higher than Memphis (110.534 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Memphis 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 1816 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 129.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 1816 mi and the route typically takes 31h 33m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Simi Valley, CA.