Moving from Pasadena, CA to Simi Valley, CA
Relocating from Pasadena, CA to Simi Valley, CA? The drive is 42 mi — about 52 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
42 mi · 52 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 118, I 5, CA 134 |
| Major cities en route | Pomona, Garden Grove, Fullerton, West Covina, El Monte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | 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 roughly 2.7% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,209,228 to $844,909 moving to Simi Valley.
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pasadena | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 16.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Pasadena (66.0°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: PASADENA, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.84 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.7% higher in Simi Valley than Pasadena.
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 does household income compare in Pasadena vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $103,778 in Pasadena — a 13.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena — a 30.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena 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 42 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena 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 far is Simi Valley, CA from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 42 mi and the route typically takes 52 min via CA 118 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 2.7% lower than Pasadena (110.534 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Pasadena and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 66.0°F in Pasadena (0.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 20.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA · Simi Valley, CA.