Moving from College Station, TX to Simi Valley, CA
Cross-country relocations like College Station, TX β Simi Valley, CA cover 1523 mi and about 26h 32m of driving through 4 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.
1523 mi Β· 26h 32m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 21.5% higher overall in Simi Valley vs College Station on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Simi Valley: 21.5% above College Station on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 16.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Simi Valley β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.84 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 21.5% between College Station 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 Texas 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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.
- 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 College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 21.5% higher than College Station (110.534 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $349,041 in College Station β a 142.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $51,776 in College Station β a 127.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from College Station 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 1523 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 1523 mi and the route typically takes 26h 32m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 128,840 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 College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Simi Valley, CA.