Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Downey, CA
Relocating between Thousand Oaks, CA and Downey, CA is a 55 mi drive β 1h 12m 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.
55 mi Β· 1h 12m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | San Buenaventura, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 170.433 | 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
Housing comes in 2.7% under Thousand Oaks β $1,049,634 β $888,710 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 12.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.22 |
Expect median household income to fall 2.7% β $134,367 β $87,400 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Downey MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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: Downey 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
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 55 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 Downey compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Downey more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 2.7% higher than Thousand Oaks (113.566 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Downey, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 55 mi and the route typically takes 1h 12m via US 101 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 35.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 15.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thousand Oaks.
City profiles: Thousand Oaks, CA Β· Downey, CA.