Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Long Beach, CA
It is a 63 mi drive, roughly 1h 21m, between Thousand Oaks, CA and Long Beach, 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.
63 mi Β· 1h 21m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 405, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Long Beach | 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 |
Thousand Oaks and Long Beach sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Long Beach run about 2.7% cheaper β ZHVI $1,049,634 β $857,861 (2026-03).
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| 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" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.5Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
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 | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.68 |
Long Beach households earn about 2.7% less than Thousand Oaks at the median β $134,367 β $83,969 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach 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: Long Beach 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 Long Beach, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 63 mi and the route typically takes 1h 21m via I 405 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 37.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach 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 does the job market in Long Beach compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach 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.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 18.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 63 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 Thousand Oaks.
City profiles: Thousand Oaks, CA Β· Long Beach, CA.