Moving from Naperville, IL to Simi Valley, CA
A 2006 mi cross-country move between Naperville and Simi Valley is 35h 25m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2006 mi Β· 35h 25m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Chicago, Joliet, Aurora, Elgin, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Naperville | 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 |
Simi Valley runs about 6.7% more expensive overall than Naperville β RPP 103.595 β 110.534.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $610,454 in Naperville to $844,909 in Simi Valley, a 6.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Naperville +5.2%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Naperville | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 16.4" |
Annual average temperature jumps 17.1Β°F β 49.2Β°F in Naperville vs 66.3Β°F in Simi Valley, 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: LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Naperville | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $150,937 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.8% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.84 |
Simi Valley households earn about 6.7% less than Naperville at the median β $150,937 β $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 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
- 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.
- 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-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 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 (17.1Β°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
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Naperville, IL?
The driving distance is 2006 mi and the route typically takes 35h 25m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Naperville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 6.7% higher than Naperville (110.534 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Naperville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $610,454 in Naperville β a 38.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Naperville 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 2006 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Naperville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $49,790 in the Naperville 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 does household income compare in Naperville vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $150,937 in Naperville β a 22.0% lower 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 Naperville.
City profiles: Naperville, IL Β· Simi Valley, CA.