Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Rancho Cucamonga, CA
It is a 81 mi drive, roughly 1h 38m, between Thousand Oaks, CA and Rancho Cucamonga, 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.
81 mi Β· 1h 38m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 134, CA 210 |
| Major cities en route | Ontario, Corona, Riverside, Fontana, Moreno Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Rancho Cucamonga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 110.534 vs 106.442 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,049,634 to $792,765 moving to Rancho Cucamonga.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Rancho Cucamonga -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 11.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Thousand Oaks (62.5Β°F) and Rancho Cucamonga (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 174,693 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $109,511 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 37.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 22.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.01 |
Households in Rancho Cucamonga earn about 3.7% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rancho Cucamonga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Rancho Cucamonga average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Rancho Cucamonga sees only 11.6 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 much do homes cost in Rancho Cucamonga compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $792,765 in Rancho Cucamonga vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 24.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Rancho Cucamonga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,511 in Rancho Cucamonga vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 18.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Rancho Cucamonga compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rancho Cucamonga MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Rancho Cucamonga, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 81 mi and the route typically takes 1h 38m via CA 134 and CA 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to Rancho Cucamonga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 81 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Rancho Cucamonga more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rancho Cucamonga is 3.7% lower than Thousand Oaks (106.442 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· Rancho Cucamonga, CA.