Moving from Fullerton, CA to Simi Valley, CA
Relocating between Fullerton, CA and Simi Valley, CA is a 65 mi drive β 1h 24m 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.
65 mi Β· 1h 24m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fullerton | 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 |
Fullerton 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
Homes in Simi Valley run about 2.7% cheaper β ZHVI $1,050,945 β $844,909 (2026-03).
YoY change: Fullerton -0.4%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fullerton | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.9" | 16.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.2Β°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: FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fullerton | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $104,219 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.4% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.84 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.7% higher in Simi Valley than Fullerton.
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
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Fullerton, CA?
The driving distance is 65 mi and the route typically takes 1h 24m via I 5 and CA 118. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fullerton vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $104,219 in Fullerton β a 12.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Fullerton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $50,490 in the Fullerton 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.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Fullerton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $1,050,945 in Fullerton β a 19.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Fullerton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 2.7% lower than Fullerton (110.534 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fullerton 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 65 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 Fullerton.
City profiles: Fullerton, CA Β· Simi Valley, CA.