Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Oklahoma City, OK
It is 1365 mi between Thousand Oaks and Oklahoma City β roughly 23h 36m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1365 mi Β· 23h 36m by car Β· OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Oklahoma City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Expect about 18.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Oklahoma City at 90.408 vs Thousand Oaks at 110.534.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,049,634 to $206,713 moving to Oklahoma City.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Oklahoma City -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 27Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 6.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 36.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Thousand Oaks (62.5Β°F) and Oklahoma City (60.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Oklahoma City averages 6.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 688,693 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $66,702 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.5 |
Oklahoma City households earn about 18.2% less than Thousand Oaks at the median β $134,367 β $66,702 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oklahoma City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Oklahoma City average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Oklahoma City compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 656,800 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 Oklahoma City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1365 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Oklahoma City compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,713 in Oklahoma City vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 80.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Oklahoma City more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oklahoma City is 18.2% lower than Thousand Oaks (90.408 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Oklahoma City, OK from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 1365 mi and the route typically takes 23h 36m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Oklahoma City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,702 in Oklahoma City vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 50.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Oklahoma City, OK.