Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
The drive from Simi Valley to Santa Clarita covers 27 mi in about 39 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
27 mi · 39 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 118, CA 14, US 6 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Palmdale, Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Santa Clarita | 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 |
Santa Clarita and Simi Valley are close on the overall BEA RPP (110.534 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 2.7% lower in Santa Clarita than Simi Valley as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Simi Valley | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 16.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.3°F vs 65.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Clarita sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 3.04 |
Household income lines up — $117,703 vs $119,926 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $117,703 in Simi Valley — a 1.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Simi Valley and Santa Clarita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.5°F in Santa Clarita vs 66.3°F in Simi Valley (0.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.8 in vs 16.4 in.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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 much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $844,909 in Simi Valley — a 5.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita 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.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 27 mi and the route typically takes 39 min via CA 118 and CA 14. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 27 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Simi Valley.
City profiles: Simi Valley, CA · Santa Clarita, CA.