Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Bakersfield, CA
Relocating between Thousand Oaks, CA and Bakersfield, CA is a 120 mi drive β 2h 22m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
120 mi Β· 2h 22m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 99, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Burbank, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Bakersfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 100.886 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 158.257 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 90.291 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.7% moving from Thousand Oaks to Bakersfield β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks to $396,047 in Bakersfield, a 8.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Bakersfield -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 6.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.5Β°F vs 65.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 408,366 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $77,397 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.2 |
Expect median household income to fall 8.7% β $134,367 β $77,397 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Bakersfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 39,670 | $33,500 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 36,890 | $33,490 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 34,910 | $44,030 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,340 | $45,500 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 28,110 | $33,580 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Bakersfield average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Bakersfield sees only 6.7 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 Bakersfield, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 120 mi and the route typically takes 2h 22m via I 5 and CA 99. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Bakersfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,397 in Bakersfield vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 42.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Bakersfield compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 330,270 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to Bakersfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 120 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Bakersfield more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Bakersfield is 8.7% lower than Thousand Oaks (100.886 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Bakersfield compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,047 in Bakersfield vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 62.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thousand Oaks.
City profiles: Thousand Oaks, CA Β· Bakersfield, CA.