Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Simi Valley, CA
Relocating between Costa Mesa, CA and Simi Valley, CA is a 80 mi drive β 1h 37m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
80 mi Β· 1h 37m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 405, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura, Santa Clarita, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Costa Mesa and Simi Valley sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa to $844,909 in Simi Valley, a 2.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 16.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 66.3Β°F 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: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.84 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.7% higher in Simi Valley than Costa Mesa.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa 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 80 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 40.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 2.7% lower than Costa Mesa (110.534 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 80 mi and the route typically takes 1h 37m via I 405 and CA 118. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 6.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 6,185,570 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 Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Simi Valley, CA.