Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Richmond, VA
A 2634 mi cross-country move between Simi Valley and Richmond is 46h 28m 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.
2634 mi · 46h 28m by car · VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Norman |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Expect about 11.5% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Richmond at 97.858 vs Simi Valley at 110.534.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $844,909 to $369,646 moving to Richmond.
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Simi Valley | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 45.5" |
Annual temperature drops 7.4°F moving to Richmond per NOAA normals.
Richmond averages 8.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.23 |
Richmond households earn about 11.5% less than Simi Valley at the median — $117,703 → $62,671 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2634 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $844,909 in Simi Valley — a 56.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Richmond more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 11.5% lower than Simi Valley (97.858 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Richmond, VA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 2634 mi and the route typically takes 46h 28m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $117,703 in Simi Valley — a 46.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Simi Valley and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Richmond vs 66.3°F in Simi Valley (7.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 45.5 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 · Richmond, VA.