Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Anaheim, CA
Relocating between Simi Valley, CA and Anaheim, CA is a 76 mi drive — 1h 35m 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.
76 mi · 1h 35m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 118, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Simi Valley and Anaheim 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
Homes in Anaheim run about 2.7% pricier — ZHVI $844,909 → $950,504 (2026-03).
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Simi Valley | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 13.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.3°F vs 67.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Anaheim sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 3.26 |
Expect median household income to fall 2.7% — $117,703 → $90,583 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Anaheim sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Anaheim, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 76 mi and the route typically takes 1h 35m via I 5 and CA 118. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Simi Valley and Anaheim?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.7°F in Anaheim vs 66.3°F in Simi Valley (1.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 13.5 in vs 16.4 in.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $117,703 in Simi Valley — a 23.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Anaheim compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $844,909 in Simi Valley — a 12.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Anaheim more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Anaheim is 2.7% higher than Simi Valley (113.566 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 76 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 Simi Valley.
City profiles: Simi Valley, CA · Anaheim, CA.