Moving from Arvada, CO to Simi Valley, CA
It is 1032 mi between Arvada and Simi Valley — roughly 18h 25m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1032 mi · 18h 25m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, CA 18 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura, Los Angeles, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.5% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 16.4" |
Annual average temperature gap of 16.0°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Simi Valley — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.84 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Colorado 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.0°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Arvada 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 1032 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 3.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 4.5% higher than Arvada (110.534 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Arvada and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 50.3°F in Arvada (16.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 17.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 37.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 1032 mi and the route typically takes 18h 25m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 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 Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · Simi Valley, CA.