Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA
Relocating between Santa Maria, CA and Thousand Oaks, CA is a 117 mi drive β 2h 29m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
117 mi Β· 2h 29m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Los Angeles, Oxnard, San Buenaventura |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.6% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 12.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to rise 1.6% β $84,617 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.
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 Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 117 mi and the route typically takes 2h 29m via US 101 and CA 154. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 58.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 59.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 1.6% higher than Santa Maria (110.534 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria 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 117 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Maria.
City profiles: Santa Maria, CA Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.