Moving from San Jose, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA
It is a 327 mi drive, roughly 6h 30m, between San Jose, 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.
327 mi Β· 6h 30m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Jose | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 110.423 vs 110.534 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,463,614 to $1,049,634 moving to Thousand Oaks.
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Jose | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 12.0" |
Annual average temperatures in San Jose (61.5Β°F) and Thousand Oaks (62.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.72 |
Households in Thousand Oaks earn about 0.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 far is Thousand Oaks, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 327 mi and the route typically takes 6h 30m via US 101 and CA 154. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 0.1% higher than San Jose (110.534 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Jose 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 327 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 San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $1,463,614 in San Jose β a 28.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Jose vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $141,565 in San Jose β a 5.1% lower 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 San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.