Moving from Simi Valley, CA to New Orleans, LA
Cross-country relocations like Simi Valley, CA → New Orleans, LA cover 1940 mi and about 33h 53m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1940 mi · 33h 53m by car · LA → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Beaumont, Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 110.534 to 92.597, putting New Orleans roughly 16.2% below Simi Valley on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in New Orleans: 16.2% below Simi Valley on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Simi Valley | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 60.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in New Orleans — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.43 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.2% between Simi Valley and New Orleans (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in New Orleans MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 64,460 | $38,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 59,980 | $26,320 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 48,630 | $37,420 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 48,580 | $31,100 |
| Management Occupations | 33,120 | $101,850 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Louisiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Louisiana'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 New Orleans average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: New Orleans averages 60.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit 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.
- Register to vote in Louisiana after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Simi Valley and New Orleans?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.9°F in New Orleans vs 66.3°F in Simi Valley (4.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 60.1 in vs 16.4 in.
Is New Orleans more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 16.2% lower than Simi Valley (92.597 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is New Orleans, LA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 1940 mi and the route typically takes 33h 53m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $844,909 in Simi Valley — a 71.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $117,703 in Simi Valley — a 53.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to New Orleans?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1940 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · New Orleans, LA.