Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Aurora, CO
The drive from Simi Valley, CA to Aurora, CO runs 1053 mi β about 18h 45m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1053 mi Β· 18h 45m by car Β· CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Westminster, Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Aurora | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Simi Valley (110.534) and Aurora (105.782) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Aurora: 4.3% below Simi Valley on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Aurora -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Simi Valley | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | β |
Major climate step-down: 15.5Β°F cooler annual average in Aurora vs Simi Valley.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 390,201 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $84,320 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.73 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 4.3% between Simi Valley and Aurora (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 Aurora average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.5Β°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 does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,320 in Aurora vs $117,703 in Simi Valley β a 28.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Aurora more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora 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.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1053 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Aurora 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.
How far is Aurora, CO from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 1053 mi and the route typically takes 18h 45m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $463,081 in Aurora vs $844,909 in Simi Valley β a 45.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Simi Valley.
City profiles: Simi Valley, CA Β· Aurora, CO.