Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA
Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA covers 339 mi and about 6h 44m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
339 mi Β· 6h 44m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154, CR G4 |
| Major cities en route | Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Fremont, San Jose |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | 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 |
Thousand Oaks and Santa Clara are close on the overall BEA RPP (110.423 vs 110.534); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Thousand Oaks typical home at $1,049,634 is 0.1% under Santa Clara at $1,782,192 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 12.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 60.7Β°F vs 62.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Thousand Oaks is 0.1% below Santa Clara ($173,670 vs $134,367, 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 Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 339 mi and the route typically takes 6h 44m via US 101 and CA 154. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara 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 339 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 Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 0.1% higher than Santa Clara (110.534 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 41.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 22.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.