Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to San Jose, CA
Relocating between Thousand Oaks, CA and San Jose, CA is a 327 mi drive β 6h 30m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
327 mi Β· 6h 30m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | San Jose | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 110.534 vs 110.423 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 0.1% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,049,634 to $1,463,614 moving to San Jose.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, San Jose -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 16.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Thousand Oaks (62.5Β°F) and San Jose (61.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
San Jose gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 990,054 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $141,565 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 26.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.03 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.1% higher in San Jose than Thousand Oaks.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Jose MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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 San Jose more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Jose is 0.1% lower than Thousand Oaks (110.423 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in San Jose compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,463,614 in San Jose vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 39.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Jose compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the San Jose MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Jose, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 327 mi and the route typically takes 6h 30m via US 101 and CA 154. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs San Jose?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,565 in San Jose vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 5.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to San Jose?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 327 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· San Jose, CA.