Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Simi Valley, CA
Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Simi Valley, CA covers 417 mi and about 7h 36m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
417 mi Β· 7h 36m by car Β· AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Scottsdale, Peoria, Glendale, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Phoenix | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.0% pricier overall in Simi Valley than Phoenix on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Simi Valley typical home at $844,909 is 7.0% above Phoenix at $410,169 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Phoenix -2.7%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Phoenix | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 104Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.9" | 16.4" |
Simi Valley is 6.2Β°F cooler on the annual average (72.5Β°F vs 66.3Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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: PHOENIX DEER VALLEY MUNI AP, AZ US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Phoenix | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $77,041 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.7 | 2.84 |
Median household income in Simi Valley is 7.0% above Phoenix ($77,041 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 Arizona 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Phoenix, AZ?
The driving distance is 417 mi and the route typically takes 7h 36m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Phoenix?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $410,169 in Phoenix β a 106.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Phoenix 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 417 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Phoenix?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 7.0% higher than Phoenix (110.534 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Phoenix?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $48,600 in the Phoenix MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Phoenix vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $77,041 in Phoenix β a 52.8% 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 Phoenix.
City profiles: Phoenix, AZ Β· Simi Valley, CA.