Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Simi Valley, CA
Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Simi Valley, CA covers 125 mi and about 2h 44m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
125 mi Β· 2h 44m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Burbank, Thousand Oaks |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Simi Valley and Santa Maria are close on the overall BEA RPP (108.798 vs 110.534); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Simi Valley typical home at $844,909 is 1.6% above Santa Maria at $658,011 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 16.4" |
Simi Valley runs 7.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (58.6Β°F vs 66.3Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.84 |
Median household income in Simi Valley is 1.6% above Santa Maria ($84,617 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.
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 much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 28.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 125 mi and the route typically takes 2h 44m via US 101 and CA 154. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 39.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 1.6% higher than Santa Maria (110.534 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria 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 125 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Santa Maria.
City profiles: Santa Maria, CA Β· Simi Valley, CA.