Moving from Rialto, CA to Simi Valley, CA
Relocating between Rialto, CA and Simi Valley, CA is a 87 mi drive — 1h 45m 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.
87 mi · 1h 45m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 210, 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
| Rialto | 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 — 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 · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.8% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $588,566 to $844,909 moving to Simi Valley.
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rialto | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 16.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Rialto (66.6°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: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.84 |
Expect median household income to rise 3.8% — $85,521 → $117,703 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
When is the best time to move from Rialto 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 87 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 Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto 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.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 3.8% higher than Rialto (110.534 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $85,521 in Rialto — a 37.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $588,566 in Rialto — a 43.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 87 mi and the route typically takes 1h 45m via CA 210 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Rialto and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 66.6°F in Rialto (0.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 9.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA · Simi Valley, CA.