Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Fontana, CA
It is a 84 mi drive, roughly 1h 41m, between Simi Valley, CA and Fontana, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
84 mi Β· 1h 41m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 210, CA 118, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Rialto, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Simi Valley and Fontana 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 $844,909 in Simi Valley to $639,032 in Fontana, a 3.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Simi Valley | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 11.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.3Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 3.71 |
Households in Fontana earn about 3.7% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fontana MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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 Fontana average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Fontana sees only 11.6 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 much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $844,909 in Simi Valley β a 24.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fontana, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 84 mi and the route typically takes 1h 41m via CA 210 and CA 118. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fontana more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 3.7% lower than Simi Valley (106.442 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 84 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $117,703 in Simi Valley β a 16.6% lower 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 Simi Valley.
City profiles: Simi Valley, CA Β· Fontana, CA.