Moving from Tempe, AZ to Simi Valley, CA
The 422 mi from Tempe to Simi Valley translate to about 7h 41m behind the wheel through 2 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — 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.
422 mi · 7h 41m by car · AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tempe | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Simi Valley is 7.0% higher than Tempe, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Simi Valley is 7.0% above Tempe — $468,281 vs $844,909 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tempe | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 106°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 16.4" |
Climate cools by 5.5°F on the annual average — 71.8°F → 66.3°F.
Simi Valley 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: TEMPE ASU, AZ US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.84 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 7.0% between Tempe and Simi Valley (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Simi Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,690 | $47,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,940 | $34,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 29,050 | $37,470 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,520 | $39,670 |
| Management Occupations | 20,990 | $124,680 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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-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 Simi Valley average 95°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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Tempe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $468,281 in Tempe — a 80.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tempe vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $77,643 in Tempe — a 51.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance is 422 mi and the route typically takes 7h 41m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Tempe and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 71.8°F in Tempe (5.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 8.8 in.
When is the best time to move from Tempe to Simi Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 422 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Tempe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 7.0% higher than Tempe (110.534 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $48,600 in the Tempe MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 2,289,130 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 Tempe.
City profiles: Tempe, AZ · Simi Valley, CA.