Moving from Irvine, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA
The 85 mi from Irvine to Thousand Oaks translate to about 1h 45m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
85 mi Β· 1h 45m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 134, CA 55 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Corona, Costa Mesa, Jurupa Valley, Santa Ana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irvine | 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 Irvine (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 Irvine on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Irvine -0.8%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Irvine | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 12.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irvine | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $129,647 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 33.9 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.4% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.72 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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
When is the best time to move from Irvine 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 85 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 Irvine?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 2.7% lower than Irvine (110.534 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Irvine?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $1,557,982 in Irvine β a 32.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Irvine?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $50,490 in the Irvine 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 does household income compare in Irvine vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $129,647 in Irvine β a 3.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance is 85 mi and the route typically takes 1h 45m via I 5 and CA 134. 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 Irvine.
City profiles: Irvine, CA Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.