Moving from Murrieta, CA to Simi Valley, CA
It is a 119 mi drive, roughly 2h 23m, between Murrieta, CA and Simi Valley, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
119 mi Β· 2h 23m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, I 210, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura, Santa Clarita, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Murrieta | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 106.442 vs 110.534 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.8% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $688,358 to $844,909 moving to Simi Valley.
YoY change: Murrieta -1.5%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Murrieta | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.3" | 16.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Murrieta (65.1Β°F) and Simi Valley (66.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Simi Valley gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Murrieta | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,621 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $109,780 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 36 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.15 | 2.84 |
Households in Simi Valley earn about 3.8% more at the median β 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.
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 Murrieta, CA?
The driving distance is 119 mi and the route typically takes 2h 23m via I 15 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Murrieta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $47,450 in the Murrieta MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Murrieta vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $109,780 in Murrieta β a 7.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Murrieta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 3.8% higher than Murrieta (110.534 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Murrieta 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 119 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 Murrieta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $688,358 in Murrieta β a 22.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Murrieta.
City profiles: Murrieta, CA Β· Simi Valley, CA.