Moving from Waco, TX to Simi Valley, CA
The drive from Waco, TX to Simi Valley, CA runs 1463 mi — about 25h 45m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1463 mi · 25h 45m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 158, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Killeen, Midland, Odessa, El Paso, Las Cruces |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 19.4% pricier overall in Simi Valley than Waco on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Simi Valley typical home at $844,909 is 19.4% above Waco at $194,245 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 16.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.6°F vs 66.3°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Simi Valley sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.84 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 19.4% between Waco and Simi Valley (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.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Waco 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 1463 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $51,468 in Waco — a 128.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $194,245 in Waco — a 335.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 1463 mi and the route typically takes 25h 45m via I 10 and TX 158. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Simi Valley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.3°F in Simi Valley vs 66.6°F in Waco (0.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.4 in vs 37.5 in.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 19.4% higher than Waco (110.534 vs 92.55, 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 Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Simi Valley, CA.