Moving from Lubbock, TX to Thousand Oaks, CA
Relocating 1143 mi from Lubbock to Thousand Oaks is a 20h 11m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1143 mi Β· 20h 11m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 84, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, San Bernardino, Riverside |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lubbock | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.317 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.768 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.357 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 91.317 in Lubbock to 110.534 in Thousand Oaks, putting overall prices 21.0% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 21.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $209,436 to $1,049,634 moving to Thousand Oaks.
YoY change: Lubbock +0.8%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lubbock | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.4" | 12.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Lubbock (61.8Β°F) and Thousand Oaks (62.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LUBBOCK WFO, TX US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lubbock | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $60,487 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to rise 21.0% β $60,487 β $134,367 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Lubbock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 150,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Lubbock, TX?
The driving distance is 1143 mi and the route typically takes 20h 11m via I 40 and US 84. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lubbock vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $60,487 in Lubbock β a 122.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than Lubbock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 21.0% higher than Lubbock (110.534 vs 91.317, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Lubbock 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 1143 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Lubbock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $209,436 in Lubbock β a 401.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lubbock.
City profiles: Lubbock, TX Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.