Moving from San Mateo, CA to Simi Valley, CA
It is a 362 mi drive, roughly 6h 52m, between San Mateo, CA and Simi Valley, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
362 mi Β· 6h 52m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura, Los Angeles, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
San Mateo and Simi Valley sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,686,905 in San Mateo to $844,909 in Simi Valley, a 4.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 16.4" |
Annual temperature rises 7.6Β°F moving to Simi Valley per NOAA 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: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 38 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.84 |
Simi Valley households earn about 4.4% less than San Mateo at the median β $152,669 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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 4.4% lower than San Mateo (110.534 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo 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 362 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 49.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 362 mi and the route typically takes 6h 52m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 22.9% 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 San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Simi Valley, CA.