Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Thousand Oaks, CA

It is 1365 mi between Oklahoma City and Thousand Oaks β€” roughly 23h 36m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.

1365 mi Β· 23h 36m by car Β· OK β†’ TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ β†’ CA

COL +22.3% Home values +407.8% Ξ” +2.4Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
1365 mi
Drive time
23h 36m
States
5
Fuel (25 mpg)
55 gal
Route throughOK β†’ TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ β†’ CA
Primary highwaysI 40, US 66 HIST, US 270
Major cities en routeNorman, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville

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

Cost of living

Oklahoma CityThousand OaksU.S. avg
All items (RPP)90.408110.534100.0
Rents74.067152.925100.0
Goods93.778105.168100.0
Services73.885171.096100.0

Thousand Oaks is 22.3% more expensive than Oklahoma City on the BEA RPP β€” expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.

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

Housing prices

Oklahoma City β€” typical home
$206,713
Thousand Oaks β€” typical home
$1,049,634
Oklahoma City β€” typical rent
$1,286/mo
Thousand Oaks β€” typical rent
$3,476/mo

Zillow ZHVI climbs from $206,713 in Oklahoma City to $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks, a 22.3% increase on the typical home value.

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

Climate

1991–2020 normalsOklahoma CityThousand Oaks
Annual avg temperature60Β°F63Β°F
January avg low27Β°F45Β°F
July avg high93Β°F78Β°F
Annual snowfall6.7"β€”
Annual precipitation36.4"12.0"

Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β€” 60.1Β°F vs 62.5Β°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023Oklahoma CityThousand Oaks
Population688,693125,676
Median household income$66,702$134,367
Median age3544.5
Bachelor's degree or higher21.5%29.5%
Avg household size2.52.72

Thousand Oaks households earn about 22.3% more than Oklahoma City at the median β€” $66,702 β†’ $134,367 on ACS 2023.

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

Jobs & wages

Oklahoma City MSA β€” median wage
$44,030
Thousand Oaks MSA β€” median wage
$48,380
Oklahoma City MSA β€” employment
656,800
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 Oklahoma and California

Oklahoma income tax
4.75% 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

  • 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

When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City 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 1365 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 Oklahoma City?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 22.3% higher than Oklahoma City (110.534 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Thousand Oaks?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City β€” a 101.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Oklahoma City?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Oklahoma City?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City β€” a 407.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Oklahoma City, OK?

The driving distance is 1365 mi and the route typically takes 23h 36m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 5 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 Oklahoma City.

City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.

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