Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Fresno, CA
It is a 216 mi drive, roughly 4h 6m, between Simi Valley, CA and Fresno, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
216 mi · 4h 6m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Fresno | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.6% moving from Simi Valley to Fresno — 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 $391,328 in Fresno, a 7.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Fresno +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Simi Valley | Fresno |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 11.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.3°F vs 65.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fresno sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Fresno |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 543,615 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $66,804 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 3.03 |
Fresno households earn about 7.6% less than Simi Valley at the median — $117,703 → $66,804 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fresno MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,600 | $45,210 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,930 | $38,480 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,500 | $32,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,440 | $33,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 32,010 | $59,270 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fresno average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Fresno sees only 11.0 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 Fresno, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 216 mi and the route typically takes 4h 6m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fresno compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Fresno MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Fresno?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,804 in Fresno vs $117,703 in Simi Valley — a 43.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Simi Valley and Fresno?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Fresno vs 66.3°F in Simi Valley (1.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 16.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Fresno compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $391,328 in Fresno vs $844,909 in Simi Valley — a 53.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Fresno?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 216 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fresno more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fresno is 7.6% lower than Simi Valley (102.158 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 · Fresno, CA.