Moving from Akron, OH to Thousand Oaks, CA
It is 2399 mi and 42h 30m from Akron to Thousand Oaks β a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2399 mi Β· 42h 30m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Joliet |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Akron | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.37 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.448 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.785 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 18.4% above Akron β 93.37 β 110.534 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
18.4% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Akron +2.2%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Akron | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 32.5" | 12.0" |
Expect 10.2Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Akron | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $48,544 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.3% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to rise 18.4% β $48,544 β $134,367 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Ohio 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Akron 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 2399 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Akron, OH?
The driving distance is 2399 mi and the route typically takes 42h 30m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Akron vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $48,544 in Akron β a 176.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Akron?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $45,950 in the Akron MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 320,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Akron?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $137,894 in Akron β a 661.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than Akron?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 18.4% higher than Akron (110.534 vs 93.37, 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 Akron.
City profiles: Akron, OH Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.