Moving from Des Moines, IA to Thousand Oaks, CA
A 1721 mi cross-country move between Des Moines and Thousand Oaks is 29h 60m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 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.
1721 mi Β· 29h 60m by car Β· IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Thornton, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 91.701 in Des Moines to 110.534 in Thousand Oaks, putting overall prices 20.5% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 20.5% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $208,166 to $1,049,634 moving to Thousand Oaks.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 12.0" |
Annual temperature rises 11.6Β°F moving to Thousand Oaks per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.72 |
Thousand Oaks households earn about 20.5% more than Des Moines at the median β $63,966 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 Iowa 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 (11.6Β°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
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 110.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 404.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 20.5% higher than Des Moines (110.534 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1721 mi and the route typically takes 29h 60m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines 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 1721 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.