Moving from College Station, TX to Thousand Oaks, CA
A 1527 mi cross-country move between College Station and Thousand Oaks is 26h 38m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1527 mi Β· 26h 38m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, Simi Valley, San Buenaventura, Santa Clarita, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Thousand Oaks is 21.5% above College Station β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
21.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 12.0" |
Annual temperature drops 6.9Β°F moving to Thousand Oaks per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.72 |
Thousand Oaks households earn about 21.5% more than College Station at the median β $51,776 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.
Moving between Texas 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.
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 much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $349,041 in College Station β a 200.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $51,776 in College Station β a 159.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 21.5% higher than College Station (110.534 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from College Station 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 1527 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 College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 1527 mi and the route typically takes 26h 38m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.