Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA
Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA covers 81 mi and about 1h 39m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
81 mi Β· 1h 39m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 405, US 101 |
| 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
| Costa Mesa | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Costa Mesa (113.566) and Thousand Oaks (110.534) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Thousand Oaks: 2.7% below Costa Mesa on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 12.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Thousand Oaks is 2.7% above Costa Mesa ($110,073 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.
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 does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 25.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 2.7% lower than Costa Mesa (110.534 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 22.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa 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 81 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 Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 81 mi and the route typically takes 1h 39m via I 405 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 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 Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.