Moving from Hampton, VA to Thousand Oaks, CA

A 2734 mi cross-country move between Hampton and Thousand Oaks is 48h 4m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β€” rent, taxes, climate, commute β€” usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.

2734 mi Β· 48h 4m by car Β· VA β†’ TN β†’ AR β†’ OK β†’ TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ β†’ CA

COL +12.9% Home values +281.2% Ξ” +2.7Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
2734 mi
Drive time
48h 4m
States
8
Fuel (25 mpg)
109 gal
Route throughVA β†’ TN β†’ AR β†’ OK β†’ TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ β†’ CA
Primary highwaysI 40, I 81, I 64
Major cities en routeVirginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Newport News, Richmond

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

HamptonThousand OaksU.S. avg
All items (RPP)97.941110.534100.0
Rents89.579152.925100.0
Goods96.767105.168100.0
Services99.805171.096100.0

Expect roughly 12.9% higher cost of living β€” rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Hampton β€” typical home
$275,341
Thousand Oaks β€” typical home
$1,049,634
Hampton β€” typical rent
$1,593/mo
Thousand Oaks β€” typical rent
$3,476/mo

Expect roughly 12.9% higher home prices β€” ZHVI goes from $275,341 to $1,049,634 moving to Thousand Oaks.

YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsHamptonThousand Oaks
Annual avg temperature60Β°F63Β°F
January avg low32Β°F45Β°F
July avg high87Β°F78Β°F
Annual snowfall2.7"β€”
Annual precipitation47.8"12.0"

Annual average temperatures in Hampton (59.8Β°F) and Thousand Oaks (62.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023HamptonThousand Oaks
Population137,334125,676
Median household income$67,758$134,367
Median age36.544.5
Bachelor's degree or higher17.1%29.5%
Avg household size2.382.72

Thousand Oaks households earn about 12.9% more than Hampton at the median β€” $67,758 β†’ $134,367 on ACS 2023.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Hampton MSA β€” median wage
$46,990
Thousand Oaks MSA β€” median wage
$48,380
Hampton MSA β€” employment
737,200
Thousand Oaks MSA β€” employment
315,720

Top occupations in Thousand Oaks MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 Virginia and California

Virginia income tax
5.75% top marginal
California income tax
13.3% top marginal

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 β€” 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

  • I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
  • I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Register to vote in California after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Hampton?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $275,341 in Hampton β€” a 281.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Hampton, VA?

The driving distance is 2734 mi and the route typically takes 48h 4m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

When is the best time to move from Hampton to Thousand Oaks?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2734 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than Hampton?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 12.9% higher than Hampton (110.534 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Hampton?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How does household income compare in Hampton vs Thousand Oaks?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $67,758 in Hampton β€” a 98.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hampton.

City profiles: Hampton, VA Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.

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