Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Elk Grove, CA
The 367 mi from Simi Valley to Elk Grove translate to about 6h 51m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
367 mi Β· 6h 51m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Stockton, Antioch, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Elk Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Simi Valley (110.534) and Elk Grove (106.67) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Elk Grove: 3.5% below Simi Valley on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Elk Grove -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Simi Valley | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 18.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 177,221 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $122,229 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 3.24 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elk Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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 Elk Grove average 93Β°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 Elk Grove compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $637,450 in Elk Grove vs $844,909 in Simi Valley β a 24.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Elk Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $122,229 in Elk Grove vs $117,703 in Simi Valley β a 3.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Elk Grove compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Elk Grove more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elk Grove is 3.5% lower than Simi Valley (106.67 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elk Grove, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 367 mi and the route typically takes 6h 51m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Elk Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 367 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· Elk Grove, CA.