Moving from Oakland, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA
It is a 375 mi drive, roughly 7h 1m, between Oakland, CA and Thousand Oaks, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
375 mi Β· 7h 1m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Berkeley, Richmond, Concord, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Oakland and Thousand Oaks 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 $716,248 in Oakland to $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks, a 4.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oakland | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 72Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 12.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.6Β°F vs 62.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.72 |
Thousand Oaks households earn about 4.4% more than Oakland at the median β $97,369 β $134,367 on 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 household income compare in Oakland vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $97,369 in Oakland β a 38.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Oakland 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 375 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $716,248 in Oakland β a 46.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 4.4% lower than Oakland (110.534 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 375 mi and the route typically takes 7h 1m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.