Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Simi Valley, CA
A move from Fort Collins, CO to Simi Valley, CA covers 1090 mi and around 19h 25m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1090 mi · 19h 25m by car · CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, I 15 ALT |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Thornton, Westminster, Boulder, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.3% pricier overall in Simi Valley than Fort Collins on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Simi Valley typical home at $844,909 is 9.3% above Fort Collins at $563,815 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 16.4" |
NOAA normals show Simi Valley running 15.6°F above Fort Collins on the annual mean.
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 1991–2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.84 |
Median household income in Simi Valley is 9.3% above Fort Collins ($83,598 vs $117,703, ACS 5-year 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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 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 (15.6°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
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1090 mi and the route typically takes 19h 25m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 9.3% higher than Fort Collins (110.534 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins 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 1090 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 49.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Fort Collins and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (15.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 15.9 in.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 40.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO · Simi Valley, CA.