Moving from Stockton, CA to Simi Valley, CA
It is a 333 mi drive, roughly 6h 12m, between Stockton, CA and Simi Valley, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
333 mi · 6h 12m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Modesto, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Stockton | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.089 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.247 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 115.614 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.2% above Stockton — 105.089 → 110.534 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.2% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Stockton -3.7%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Stockton | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.3" | 16.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Simi Valley — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Stockton | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $76,851 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.84 |
Simi Valley households earn about 5.2% more than Stockton at the median — $76,851 → $117,703 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Simi Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,690 | $47,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,940 | $34,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 29,050 | $37,470 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,520 | $39,670 |
| Management Occupations | 20,990 | $124,680 |
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 Simi Valley average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 far is Simi Valley, CA from Stockton, CA?
The driving distance is 333 mi and the route typically takes 6h 12m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Stockton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $48,370 in the Stockton MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 278,010 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Stockton vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $76,851 in Stockton — a 53.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Stockton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 5.2% higher than Stockton (110.534 vs 105.089, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Stockton to Simi Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 333 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Stockton and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 63.9°F in Stockton (2.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 17.3 in.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Stockton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $431,328 in Stockton — a 95.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Stockton.
City profiles: Stockton, CA · Simi Valley, CA.