Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Torrance, CA
The 51 mi from Simi Valley to Torrance translate to about 1h 6m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
51 mi Β· 1h 6m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 405, CA 118, CA 107 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Torrance | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Torrance and Simi Valley is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Torrance is 2.7% above Simi Valley β $844,909 vs $1,124,932 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Torrance +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Simi Valley | Torrance |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 76Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 13.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Simi Valley (66.3Β°F) and Torrance (62.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, REDONDO BEACH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Torrance |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 143,499 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $113,105 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 43.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 34.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.59 |
Median household incomes in Simi Valley ($117,703) and Torrance ($113,105) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Torrance 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 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
- Dry climate: Torrance sees only 13.8 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 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 Torrance?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 51 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Torrance?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,105 in Torrance vs $117,703 in Simi Valley β a 3.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Torrance, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 51 mi and the route typically takes 1h 6m via I 405 and CA 118. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Torrance more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Torrance 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 much do homes cost in Torrance compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,124,932 in Torrance vs $844,909 in Simi Valley β a 33.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Torrance compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Torrance 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.
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· Torrance, CA.