Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Simi Valley, CA
The drive from Santa Clarita to Simi Valley covers 27 mi in about 39 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
27 mi · 39 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 118, CA 14, US 6 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Palmdale, Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Simi Valley and Santa Clarita are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 110.534); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 2.7% higher in Simi Valley than Santa Clarita as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 16.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.5°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: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.84 |
Household income lines up — $119,926 vs $117,703 on 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.
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
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 27 mi and the route typically takes 39 min via CA 118 and CA 14. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita — a 5.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Santa Clarita and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 65.5°F in Santa Clarita (0.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 16.8 in.
How does household income compare in Santa Clarita vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita — a 1.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clarita 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 27 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Santa Clarita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 2.7% lower than Santa Clarita (110.534 vs 113.566, 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 Santa Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA · Simi Valley, CA.