Moving from Wilmington, NC to Thousand Oaks, CA
Cross-country relocations like Wilmington, NC β Thousand Oaks, CA cover 2628 mi and about 46h 23m of driving through 12 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2628 mi Β· 46h 23m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Simi Valley, San Buenaventura, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Thousand Oaks is 14.6% higher than Wilmington, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Thousand Oaks is 14.6% above Wilmington β $416,159 vs $1,049,634 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wilmington | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 12.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Wilmington (64.4Β°F) and Thousand Oaks (62.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 14.6% between Wilmington and Thousand Oaks (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.
Moving between North Carolina and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 2628 mi and the route typically takes 46h 23m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $416,159 in Wilmington β a 152.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington 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 2628 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 Wilmington vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $63,900 in Wilmington β a 110.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 14.6% higher than Wilmington (110.534 vs 96.422, 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 Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.