Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Murrieta, CA
It is a 119 mi drive, roughly 2h 23m, between Simi Valley, CA and Murrieta, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
119 mi Β· 2h 23m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, I 210, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura, Santa Clarita, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Murrieta | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 3.7% under Simi Valley β $844,909 β $688,358 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Murrieta -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Simi Valley | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 15.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 111,621 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $109,780 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 3.15 |
Households in Murrieta earn about 3.7% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Murrieta MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- 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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Murrieta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 119 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Murrieta more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murrieta is 3.7% lower than Simi Valley (106.442 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Murrieta compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Murrieta MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Murrieta, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 119 mi and the route typically takes 2h 23m via I 15 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Murrieta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,780 in Murrieta vs $117,703 in Simi Valley β a 6.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Murrieta compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $688,358 in Murrieta vs $844,909 in Simi Valley β a 18.5% 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 Β· Murrieta, CA.