Moving from West Covina, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA
It is a 63 mi drive, roughly 1h 19m, between West Covina, CA and Thousand Oaks, 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.
63 mi Β· 1h 19m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 10, N8 |
| Major cities en route | San Buenaventura, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Covina | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 12.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.72 |
Thousand Oaks households earn about 2.7% more than West Covina at the median β $98,570 β $134,367 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Thousand Oaks MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,690 | $47,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,940 | $34,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 29,050 | $37,470 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,520 | $39,670 |
| Management Occupations | 20,990 | $124,680 |
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
- Dry climate: Thousand Oaks sees only 12.0 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 far is Thousand Oaks, CA from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 63 mi and the route typically takes 1h 19m via US 101 and I 10. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $852,373 in West Covina β a 23.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from West Covina to Thousand Oaks?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 63 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $98,570 in West Covina β a 36.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 2.7% lower than West Covina (110.534 vs 113.566, 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 West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.