Moving from Overland Park, KS to Thousand Oaks, CA
A 1594 mi cross-country move between Overland Park and Thousand Oaks is 28h 31m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 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.
1594 mi Β· 28h 31m by car Β· KS β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Thousand Oaks runs about 19.4% more expensive overall than Overland Park β RPP 92.543 β 110.534.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $482,295 in Overland Park to $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks, a 19.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Overland Park | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 12.0" |
Annual temperature rises 7.4Β°F moving to Thousand Oaks per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.72 |
Thousand Oaks households earn about 19.4% more than Overland Park at the median β $103,838 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 Kansas 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 Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Overland Park vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $103,838 in Overland Park β a 29.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park 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 1594 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 Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 1594 mi and the route typically takes 28h 31m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 19.4% higher than Overland Park (110.534 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $482,295 in Overland Park β a 117.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Overland Park.
City profiles: Overland Park, KS Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.