Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Simi Valley, CA
A 1815 mi cross-country move between Cedar Rapids and Simi Valley is 32h 4m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1815 mi Β· 32h 4m by car Β· IA β NE β CO β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β CO β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Simi Valley is 24.2% more expensive than Cedar Rapids on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $204,112 in Cedar Rapids to $844,909 in Simi Valley, a 24.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 16.4" |
Annual average temperature jumps 18.0Β°F β 48.3Β°F in Cedar Rapids vs 66.3Β°F in Simi Valley, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Simi Valley sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.84 |
Simi Valley households earn about 24.2% more than Cedar Rapids at the median β $67,859 β $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 Iowa 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
- 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.
- 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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 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 (18.0Β°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
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 24.2% higher than Cedar Rapids (110.534 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1815 mi and the route typically takes 32h 4m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids 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 1815 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 73.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 313.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· Simi Valley, CA.