Moving from Hayward, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA
It is a 369 mi drive, roughly 6h 55m, between Hayward, CA and Thousand Oaks, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
369 mi Β· 6h 55m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Fremont, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hayward | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Hayward and Thousand Oaks sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $848,427 in Hayward to $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks, a 4.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Hayward -6.3%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hayward | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.0" | 12.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.7Β°F vs 62.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hayward | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $113,775 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.72 |
Households in Thousand Oaks earn about 4.4% more at the median β 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 far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance is 369 mi and the route typically takes 6h 55m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Hayward?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $72,050 in the Hayward MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Hayward?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $848,427 in Hayward β a 23.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Hayward 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 369 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than Hayward?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 4.4% lower than Hayward (110.534 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Hayward vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $113,775 in Hayward β a 18.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hayward.
City profiles: Hayward, CA Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.