Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Palmdale, CA
Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Palmdale, CA covers 57 mi and about 1h 11m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
57 mi · 1h 11m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 14, CA 118, US 6 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, El Monte, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Palmdale | 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 |
Palmdale 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 · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Palmdale typical home at $501,257 is 2.7% under Simi Valley at $844,909 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Simi Valley | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 7.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.3°F vs 63.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Palmdale sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 3.56 |
Median household income in Palmdale is 2.7% below Simi Valley ($117,703 vs $81,151, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale 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 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
- 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 Palmdale average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 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 — 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 Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $117,703 in Simi Valley — a 31.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $844,909 in Simi Valley — a 40.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale 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.
What is the climate difference between Simi Valley and Palmdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Palmdale vs 66.3°F in Simi Valley (2.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 7.3 in vs 16.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 57 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Palmdale, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 57 mi and the route typically takes 1h 11m via CA 14 and CA 118. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Palmdale more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Simi Valley.
City profiles: Simi Valley, CA · Palmdale, CA.