Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Oakland, CA
It is a 375 mi drive, roughly 7h 1m, between Thousand Oaks, CA and Oakland, 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.
375 mi Β· 7h 1m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Berkeley, Richmond, Concord, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Thousand Oaks and Oakland 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 $716,248 in Oakland, a 4.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 72Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 22.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.5Β°F vs 59.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Oakland sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.53 |
Oakland households earn about 4.6% less than Thousand Oaks at the median β $134,367 β $97,369 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oakland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- 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
Is Oakland more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 4.6% higher than Thousand Oaks (115.613 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 27.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 375 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 Oakland compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Oakland compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 31.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Oakland, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 375 mi and the route typically takes 7h 1m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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· Oakland, CA.