Moving from Rochester, MN to Thousand Oaks, CA
It is 1932 mi and 33h 46m from Rochester to Thousand Oaks β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1932 mi Β· 33h 46m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β WY β SD β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β WY β SD β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, I 90, US 14 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Simi Valley, San Buenaventura, Los Angeles, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Thousand Oaks is 21.7% more expensive than Rochester 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
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $339,455 in Rochester to $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks, a 21.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 12.0" |
Annual average temperature jumps 17.7Β°F β 44.8Β°F in Rochester vs 62.5Β°F in Thousand Oaks, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to rise 21.7% β $87,767 β $134,367 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Moving between Minnesota 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 21.7% higher than Rochester (110.534 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Rochester 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 1932 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 Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $339,455 in Rochester β a 209.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1932 mi and the route typically takes 33h 46m via I 15 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 53.1% 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 Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.