Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA
The 73 mi from Garden Grove to Thousand Oaks translate to about 1h 32m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
73 mi Β· 1h 32m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 134, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Thousand Oaks and Garden Grove is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Garden Grove and Thousand Oaks are within 5% of each other ($1,013,183 vs $1,049,634 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garden Grove | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 12.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Garden Grove (66.1Β°F) and Thousand Oaks (62.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 2.7% between Garden Grove and Thousand Oaks (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Thousand Oaks 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 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: Thousand Oaks sees only 12.0 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 the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 2.7% lower than Garden Grove (110.534 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 73 mi and the route typically takes 1h 32m via CA 134 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove β a 3.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $90,166 in Garden Grove β a 49.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove to Thousand Oaks?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 73 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.