Moving from Cambridge, MA to Simi Valley, CA
Cross-country relocations like Cambridge, MA β Simi Valley, CA cover 3006 mi and about 54h 17m of driving through 13 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
3006 mi Β· 54h 17m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura, Los Angeles, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cambridge | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Simi Valley and Cambridge is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Simi Valley is 2.1% below Cambridge ($844,909 vs $1,041,569 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Cambridge -1.5%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cambridge | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 16.4" |
Simi Valley runs 15.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (51.2Β°F vs 66.3Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Simi Valley gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JAMAICA PLAIN, MA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cambridge | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $126,469 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 30.5 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.84 |
Income steps down 2.1%: $126,469 in Cambridge vs $117,703 in Simi Valley.
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 Massachusetts 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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-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 β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
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 95Β°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 (15.1Β°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 β 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 far is Simi Valley, CA from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance is 3006 mi and the route typically takes 54h 17m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 13 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Cambridge?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $1,041,569 in Cambridge β a 18.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Cambridge?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 2.1% higher than Cambridge (110.534 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Cambridge vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $126,469 in Cambridge β a 6.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Cambridge to Simi Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 3006 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Cambridge.
City profiles: Cambridge, MA Β· Simi Valley, CA.