Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Midland, TX
Relocating 1147 mi from Simi Valley to Midland is a 19h 55m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1147 mi · 19h 55m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, TX 349 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Midland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 95.783 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 83.24 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 101.497 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.3% moving from Simi Valley to Midland — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $844,909 in Simi Valley to $328,325 in Midland, a 13.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Midland +2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Simi Valley | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 13.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.3°F vs 65.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 1.9 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 133,998 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $91,169 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 23.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.54 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.3% — $117,703 → $91,169 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Midland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 17,160 | $49,990 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,010 | $48,020 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,250 | $45,440 |
| Management Occupations | 10,010 | $126,770 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations | 9,680 | $56,990 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 Midland average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Midland sees only 13.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Midland, TX from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 1147 mi and the route typically takes 19h 55m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Midland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,169 in Midland vs $117,703 in Simi Valley — a 22.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Simi Valley and Midland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Midland vs 66.3°F in Simi Valley (1.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 13.6 in vs 16.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Midland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1147 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Midland more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Midland is 13.3% lower than Simi Valley (95.783 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Midland compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $328,325 in Midland vs $844,909 in Simi Valley — a 61.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Midland compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,470 in the Midland MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 114,810 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Simi Valley.
City profiles: Simi Valley, CA · Midland, TX.