Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Costa Mesa, CA
Relocating between Simi Valley, CA and Costa Mesa, CA is a 80 mi drive β 1h 37m 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.
80 mi Β· 1h 37m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 405, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura, Santa Clarita, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Costa Mesa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Simi Valley and Costa Mesa 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 climbs from $844,909 in Simi Valley to $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa, a 2.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Costa Mesa +3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Simi Valley | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 11.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.3Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 110,538 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $110,073 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 30.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.66 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.7% lower in Costa Mesa than Simi Valley.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Costa Mesa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Costa Mesa sees only 11.2 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 does the job market in Costa Mesa compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Costa Mesa more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Costa Mesa is 2.7% higher than Simi Valley (113.566 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Costa Mesa, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 80 mi and the route typically takes 1h 37m via I 405 and CA 118. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Costa Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $110,073 in Costa Mesa vs $117,703 in Simi Valley β a 6.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Costa Mesa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 80 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 Costa Mesa compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa vs $844,909 in Simi Valley β a 67.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Simi Valley.
City profiles: Simi Valley, CA Β· Costa Mesa, CA.