Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Berkeley, CA
The 381 mi from Thousand Oaks to Berkeley translate to about 7h 9m 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.
381 mi Β· 7h 9m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Oxnard, San Buenaventura, Simi Valley, Los Angeles, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Berkeley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Berkeley and Thousand Oaks are close on the overall BEA RPP (110.534 vs 115.613); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Berkeley typical home at $1,443,684 is 4.6% above Thousand Oaks at $1,049,634 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Berkeley -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 74Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 26.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.5Β°F vs 58.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Berkeley sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, BERKELEY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 120,223 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $108,558 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 32.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 33.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.57 |
Income steps down 4.6%: $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $108,558 in Berkeley.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Berkeley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- 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
Is Berkeley more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Berkeley is 4.6% higher than Thousand Oaks (115.613 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Berkeley, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 381 mi and the route typically takes 7h 9m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to Berkeley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 381 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 Berkeley compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,443,684 in Berkeley vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 37.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Berkeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,558 in Berkeley vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 19.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Berkeley compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· Berkeley, CA.