Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Long Beach, CA
Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 62 mi and about 1h 19m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
62 mi Β· 1h 19m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 405, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Long 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 |
Long 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
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Simi Valley | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 12.0" |
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, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Long Beach is 2.7% below Simi Valley ($117,703 vs $83,969, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long 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: Long Beach sees only 12.0 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
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 62 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 Long Beach compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $844,909 in Simi Valley β a 1.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 62 mi and the route typically takes 1h 19m via I 405 and CA 118. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long 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.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long 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 does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $117,703 in Simi Valley β a 28.7% 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· Long Beach, CA.