Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Des Moines, IA
Cross-country relocations like Simi Valley, CA → Des Moines, IA cover 1701 mi and about 29h 51m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1701 mi · 29h 51m by car · IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 110.534 to 91.701, putting Des Moines roughly 17.0% below Simi Valley on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Des Moines: 17.0% below Simi Valley on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Simi Valley | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 36.6" |
Major climate step-down: 15.4°F cooler annual average in Des Moines vs Simi Valley.
Heavy-snow city: expect 36.5 in of snowfall annually at Des Moines.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 17.0% between Simi Valley and Des Moines (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Des Moines MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 48,550 | $46,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,680 | $36,420 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 34,890 | $78,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,360 | $45,430 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 30,210 | $30,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa'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 — Des Moines averages 36.5 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 (15.4°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornado season runs April through June — identify a safe room or interior space early.
- 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 Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $117,703 in Simi Valley — a 45.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Des Moines?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1701 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Simi Valley and Des Moines?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Des Moines vs 66.3°F in Simi Valley (15.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 36.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 36.6 in vs 16.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $844,909 in Simi Valley — a 75.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 1701 mi and the route typically takes 29h 51m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Des Moines compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 383,190 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 17.0% lower than Simi Valley (91.701 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Simi Valley.
City profiles: Simi Valley, CA · Des Moines, IA.