Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Arvada, CO
It is 1032 mi between Simi Valley and Arvada — roughly 18h 25m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1032 mi · 18h 25m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, CA 18 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura, Los Angeles, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Simi Valley and Arvada 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 drops from $844,909 in Simi Valley to $616,566 in Arvada, a 4.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Simi Valley | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 17.1" |
Annual average temperature drops 16.0°F — 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 50.3°F in Arvada, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Arvada sees 75.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.47 |
Household income lines up — $117,703 vs $113,396 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arvada MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Arvada averages 75.5 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (16.0°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $844,909 in Simi Valley — a 27.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Arvada more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 4.3% lower than Simi Valley (105.782 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Arvada, CO from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 1032 mi and the route typically takes 18h 25m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Simi Valley and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 66.3°F in Simi Valley (16.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 16.4 in.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $117,703 in Simi Valley — a 3.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Arvada?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1032 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 · Arvada, CO.