Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Huntington Beach, CA
The 74 mi from Simi Valley to Huntington Beach translate to about 1h 33m 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.
74 mi Β· 1h 33m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 118, I 605 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Huntington Beach | 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 |
Huntington Beach and Simi Valley are close on the overall BEA RPP (110.534 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Huntington Beach typical home at $1,366,658 is 2.7% above Simi Valley at $844,909 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Huntington Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Simi Valley | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 196,010 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $119,885 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 43.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.53 |
Household income lines up β $117,703 vs $119,885 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Huntington Beach 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: Huntington Beach 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 household income compare in Simi Valley vs Huntington Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,885 in Huntington Beach vs $117,703 in Simi Valley β a 1.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Huntington Beach, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 74 mi and the route typically takes 1h 33m via I 5 and CA 118. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Huntington Beach compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Huntington Beach 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.
How much do homes cost in Huntington Beach compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach vs $844,909 in Simi Valley β a 61.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Huntington Beach more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntington Beach 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.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Huntington Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 74 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· Huntington Beach, CA.