Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Aurora, IL
A 1998 mi cross-country move between Simi Valley and Aurora is 35h 15m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1998 mi · 35h 15m by car · IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Rockford, Cedar Rapids |
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 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.3% moving from Simi Valley to Aurora — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $844,909 in Simi Valley to $316,958 in Aurora, a 6.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Simi Valley | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 39.5" |
Annual average temperature drops 16.1°F — 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 50.2°F in Aurora, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Aurora sees 27.9 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, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.98 |
Aurora households earn about 6.3% less than Simi Valley at the median — $117,703 → $90,109 on 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 | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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
- 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.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Aurora averages 27.9 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 (16.1°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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Aurora, IL from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 1998 mi and the route typically takes 35h 15m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Aurora more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 6.3% lower than Simi Valley (103.595 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Simi Valley and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 66.3°F in Simi Valley (16.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 16.4 in.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $117,703 in Simi Valley — a 23.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1998 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $844,909 in Simi Valley — a 62.5% 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 · Aurora, IL.