Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Santa Clara, CA
Relocating between Simi Valley, CA and Santa Clara, CA is a 340 mi drive β 6h 28m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
340 mi Β· 6h 28m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 152 |
| Major cities en route | Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Fremont, San Jose |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | Santa Clara | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Simi Valley and Santa Clara sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $844,909 in Simi Valley to $1,782,192 in Santa Clara, a 0.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Santa Clara -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Simi Valley | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 13.5" |
Expect 5.6Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 129,239 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $173,670 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.66 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.1% β $117,703 β $173,670 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clara MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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: Santa Clara sees only 13.5 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 Santa Clara?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 340 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Santa Clara more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clara is 0.1% lower than Simi Valley (110.423 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Santa Clara, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 340 mi and the route typically takes 6h 28m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clara compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,782,192 in Santa Clara vs $844,909 in Simi Valley β a 110.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Santa Clara?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $173,670 in Santa Clara vs $117,703 in Simi Valley β a 47.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Clara compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 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· Santa Clara, CA.