Moving from Orlando, FL to Simi Valley, CA
It is 2560 mi and 45h from Orlando to Simi Valley — a cross-country move across 8 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.
2560 mi · 45h by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Gainesville, Tallahassee, Mobile, Beaumont, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orlando | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.418 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.196 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.374 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Simi Valley runs about 9.0% more expensive overall than Orlando — RPP 101.418 → 110.534.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $374,136 in Orlando to $844,909 in Simi Valley, a 9.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Orlando -3.5%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orlando | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 50°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.5" | 16.4" |
Expect 6.7°F colder year-round on the 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: ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orlando | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,732 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $69,268 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.84 |
Expect median household income to rise 9.0% — $69,268 → $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 Florida 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
- 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 does household income compare in Orlando vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $69,268 in Orlando — a 69.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Orlando?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $43,120 in the Orlando MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 1,366,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Orlando 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 2560 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Orlando?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $374,136 in Orlando — a 125.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Orlando, FL?
The driving distance is 2560 mi and the route typically takes 45h via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Orlando and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 73.0°F in Orlando (6.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 51.5 in.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Orlando?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 9.0% higher than Orlando (110.534 vs 101.418, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Orlando.
City profiles: Orlando, FL · Simi Valley, CA.