Moving from Birmingham, AL to Thousand Oaks, CA
Moving from Birmingham, AL to Thousand Oaks, CA is a 2064 mi cross-country relocation β about 35h 54m of driving through 9 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2064 mi Β· 35h 54m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 20.6% higher overall in Thousand Oaks vs Birmingham on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Thousand Oaks: 20.6% above Birmingham on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Birmingham | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 12.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Thousand Oaks is 20.6% above Birmingham ($44,376 vs $134,367, ACS 5-year 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 Alabama 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- 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
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 20.6% higher than Birmingham (110.534 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $135,870 in Birmingham β a 672.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 2064 mi and the route typically takes 35h 54m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $44,376 in Birmingham β a 202.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham 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 2064 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 509,200 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 Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.