Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Simi Valley, CA
It is a 68 mi drive, roughly 1h 26m, between Garden Grove, CA and Simi Valley, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
68 mi · 1h 26m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable — 113.566 vs 110.534 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 2.7% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Garden Grove | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 16.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Garden Grove (66.1°F) and Simi Valley (66.3°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Simi Valley gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.84 |
Simi Valley households earn about 2.7% more than Garden Grove at the median — $90,166 → $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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove — a 16.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Garden Grove and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 66.1°F in Garden Grove (0.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 12.5 in.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 2.7% lower than Garden Grove (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 Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 68 mi and the route typically takes 1h 26m via I 5 and CA 118. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove 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.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove 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 68 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $90,166 in Garden Grove — a 30.5% 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 Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA · Simi Valley, CA.