Moving from Sacramento, CA to Simi Valley, CA
Relocating between Sacramento, CA and Simi Valley, CA is a 380 mi drive — 7h 2m 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.
380 mi · 7h 2m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Sacramento and Simi Valley sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $479,766 in Sacramento to $844,909 in Simi Valley, a 3.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sacramento | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 16.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.4°F vs 66.3°F per 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: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.84 |
Expect median household income to rise 3.6% — $83,753 → $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 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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Sacramento 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 380 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 3.6% higher than Sacramento (110.534 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Sacramento and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 63.4°F in Sacramento (2.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 19.2 in.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 380 mi and the route typically takes 7h 2m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $83,753 in Sacramento — a 40.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $479,766 in Sacramento — a 76.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA · Simi Valley, CA.