Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Miami Gardens, FL
It is 2762 mi and 48h 33m from Thousand Oaks to Miami Gardens β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2762 mi Β· 48h 33m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Simi Valley, San Buenaventura, Santa Clarita, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Miami Gardens | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Thousand Oaks and Miami Gardens 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
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks to $469,434 in Miami Gardens, a 3.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 68.3" |
Expect 13.5Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 111,264 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $60,979 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 11.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.22 |
Expect median household income to fall 3.3% β $134,367 β $60,979 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami Gardens MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami Gardens averages 68.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Miami Gardens, FL from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 2762 mi and the route typically takes 48h 33m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 55.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Miami Gardens?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 54.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Miami Gardens compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to Miami Gardens?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2762 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Miami Gardens more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 3.3% higher than Thousand Oaks (114.155 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
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· Miami Gardens, FL.