Moving from Billings, MT to Simi Valley, CA
It is 1253 mi between Billings and Simi Valley — roughly 22h 27m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1253 mi · 22h 27m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → ID → MT
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → ID → MT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, US 191, I 90 |
| 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
| Billings | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 18.2% above Billings — 93.526 → 110.534 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
18.2% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Billings | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 16.4" |
Annual average temperature gap of 18.1°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: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.84 |
Simi Valley households earn about 18.2% more than Billings at the median — $71,855 → $117,703 on 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 Montana 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
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 (18.1°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
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 18.2% higher than Billings (110.534 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Billings 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 1253 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $71,855 in Billings — a 63.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Billings and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 48.2°F in Billings (18.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 57.4 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 14.3 in.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $392,209 in Billings — a 115.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1253 mi and the route typically takes 22h 27m via I 15 and US 191. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 89,600 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 Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT · Simi Valley, CA.