Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Waco, TX
The drive from Simi Valley, CA to Waco, TX runs 1463 mi — about 25h 45m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1463 mi · 25h 45m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 158, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Killeen, Midland, Odessa, El Paso, Las Cruces |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Waco is 16.3% cheaper than Simi Valley overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Waco is 16.3% below Simi Valley — $844,909 vs $194,245 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Simi Valley | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 37.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Simi Valley (66.3°F) and Waco (66.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Waco gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.3% between Simi Valley and Waco (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Waco average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1463 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Simi Valley and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 66.3°F in Simi Valley (0.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 16.4 in.
Is Waco more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 16.3% lower than Simi Valley (92.55 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $844,909 in Simi Valley — a 77.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $117,703 in Simi Valley — a 56.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Waco, TX from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 1463 mi and the route typically takes 25h 45m via I 10 and TX 158. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Simi Valley.
City profiles: Simi Valley, CA · Waco, TX.