Moving from Rochester, MN to Simi Valley, CA
Moving from Rochester, MN to Simi Valley, CA is a 1913 mi cross-country relocation — about 33h 39m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1913 mi · 33h 39m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → WY → SD → MN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → WY → SD → MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, I 90, US 14 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura, Los Angeles, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 21.7% pricier overall price level — 90.821 → 110.534 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Simi Valley typical home at $844,909 is 21.7% above Rochester at $339,455 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 16.4" |
NOAA normals show Simi Valley running 21.5°F above Rochester on the annual mean.
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: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.84 |
Median household income in Simi Valley is 21.7% above Rochester ($87,767 vs $117,703, ACS 5-year 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 Minnesota 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (21.5°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 — 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 Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1913 mi and the route typically takes 33h 39m via I 15 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 44.8°F in Rochester (21.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 34.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 148.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 21.7% higher than Rochester (110.534 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 34.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rochester 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 1913 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · Simi Valley, CA.