Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Visalia, CA
It is a 175 mi drive, roughly 3h 25m, between Simi Valley, CA and Visalia, 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.
175 mi · 3h 25m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Visalia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 99.825 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 156.446 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 84.053 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.7% cheaper overall in Visalia than Simi Valley on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.7% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Visalia +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Simi Valley | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 10.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Visalia — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, VISALIA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 142,649 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $79,952 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 14.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 3.07 |
Visalia households earn about 9.7% less than Simi Valley at the median — $117,703 → $79,952 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Visalia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 23,120 | $34,050 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 21,100 | $34,050 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 18,650 | $39,040 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,530 | $46,390 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 13,770 | $63,530 |
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 Visalia average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Visalia sees only 10.3 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 does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Visalia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,952 in Visalia vs $117,703 in Simi Valley — a 32.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Visalia compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,184 in Visalia vs $844,909 in Simi Valley — a 53.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Visalia, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 175 mi and the route typically takes 3h 25m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Simi Valley and Visalia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.1°F in Visalia vs 66.3°F in Simi Valley (3.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 10.3 in vs 16.4 in.
How does the job market in Visalia compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,350 in the Visalia MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 168,730 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Visalia more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Visalia is 9.7% lower than Simi Valley (99.825 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 Visalia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 175 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 · Visalia, CA.