Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Rancho Cucamonga, CA covers 77 mi and about 1h 32m 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.
77 mi Β· 1h 32m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 210, CA 118, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Ontario, Corona, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Rancho Cucamonga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Simi Valley (110.534) and Rancho Cucamonga (106.442) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Rancho Cucamonga ZHVI at $792,765 is 3.7% below Simi Valley at $844,909.
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Rancho Cucamonga -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Simi Valley | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 11.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 174,693 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $109,511 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 37.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 22.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 3.01 |
Median household income in Rancho Cucamonga is 3.7% below Simi Valley ($117,703 β $109,511, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rancho Cucamonga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Rancho Cucamonga average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Rancho Cucamonga sees only 11.6 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 Rancho Cucamonga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,511 in Rancho Cucamonga vs $117,703 in Simi Valley β a 7.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Rancho Cucamonga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 77 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Rancho Cucamonga more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rancho Cucamonga is 3.7% lower than Simi Valley (106.442 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Rancho Cucamonga, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 77 mi and the route typically takes 1h 32m via CA 210 and CA 118. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Rancho Cucamonga compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $792,765 in Rancho Cucamonga vs $844,909 in Simi Valley β a 6.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Rancho Cucamonga compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rancho Cucamonga MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 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 Β· Rancho Cucamonga, CA.