Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Garden Grove, CA
It is a 68 mi drive, roughly 1h 26m, between Simi Valley, CA and Garden Grove, 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.
68 mi · 1h 26m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Garden Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Simi Valley and Garden Grove 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
Homes in Garden Grove run about 2.7% pricier — ZHVI $844,909 → $1,013,183 (2026-03).
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Garden Grove +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Simi Valley | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 12.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.3°F vs 66.1°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Garden Grove sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 170,603 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $90,166 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 39.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 3.51 |
Garden Grove households earn about 2.7% less than Simi Valley at the median — $117,703 → $90,166 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garden Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Garden Grove sees only 12.5 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 much do homes cost in Garden Grove compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,013,183 in Garden Grove vs $844,909 in Simi Valley — a 19.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Garden Grove, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 68 mi and the route typically takes 1h 26m via I 5 and CA 118. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Garden Grove compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Garden Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,166 in Garden Grove vs $117,703 in Simi Valley — a 23.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Garden Grove more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garden Grove is 2.7% higher than Simi Valley (113.566 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 Garden Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 68 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 Garden Grove?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Garden Grove vs 66.3°F in Simi Valley (0.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 16.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Simi Valley.
City profiles: Simi Valley, CA · Garden Grove, CA.