Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Birmingham, AL
Cross-country relocations like Thousand Oaks, CA β Birmingham, AL cover 2064 mi and about 35h 54m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2064 mi Β· 35h 54m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Birmingham is 17.1% cheaper than Thousand Oaks overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Birmingham is 17.1% below Thousand Oaks β $1,049,634 vs $135,870 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 56.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Thousand Oaks (62.5Β°F) and Birmingham (63.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Birmingham averages 1.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.25 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 17.1% between Thousand Oaks and Birmingham (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Birmingham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 63,490 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 51,190 | $38,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 51,120 | $34,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,990 | $26,920 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 41,870 | $64,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Birmingham average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Birmingham averages 56.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Birmingham more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 17.1% lower than Thousand Oaks (91.644 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2064 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 Birmingham compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 87.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 67.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 2064 mi and the route typically takes 35h 54m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 9 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 Thousand Oaks.
City profiles: Thousand Oaks, CA Β· Birmingham, AL.