Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Simi Valley, CA
Relocating between Santa Clara, CA and Simi Valley, CA is a 340 mi drive β 6h 28m 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.
340 mi Β· 6h 28m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 152 |
| Major cities en route | Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Fremont, San Jose |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Santa Clara and Simi Valley sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,782,192 in Santa Clara to $844,909 in Simi Valley, a 0.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 16.4" |
Expect 5.6Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
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: SAN JOSE, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.84 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.1% β $173,670 β $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 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 much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 52.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara 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 340 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 340 mi and the route typically takes 6h 28m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 32.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 0.1% higher than Santa Clara (110.534 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Simi Valley, CA.