Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Waco, TX
Relocating 1468 mi from Thousand Oaks to Waco is a 25h 51m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1468 mi Β· 25h 51m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 158, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Killeen, Midland, Odessa, El Paso, Las Cruces |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 16.3% cheaper overall in Waco than Thousand Oaks on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 37.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 16.3% β $134,367 β $51,468 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Waco average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1468 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 Waco compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 81.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 61.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Waco more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 16.3% lower than Thousand Oaks (92.55 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 1468 mi and the route typically takes 25h 51m via I 10 and TX 158. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· Waco, TX.