Moving from San Mateo, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA
The 361 mi from San Mateo to Thousand Oaks translate to about 7h 8m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
361 mi Β· 7h 8m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154, CA 92 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Oxnard, San Buenaventura |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Thousand Oaks and San Mateo is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Thousand Oaks is 4.4% below San Mateo β $1,686,905 vs $1,049,634 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 12.0" |
Annual average temperatures in San Mateo (58.7Β°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 FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 38 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.72 |
Income steps down 4.4%: $152,669 in San Mateo vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks.
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
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 4.4% lower than San Mateo (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 San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 361 mi and the route typically takes 7h 8m via US 101 and CA 154. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 12.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 37.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo 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 361 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.