Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Elizabeth, NJ
A 2823 mi cross-country move between Thousand Oaks and Elizabeth is 50h 21m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 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.
2823 mi Β· 50h 21m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | New York, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 110.534 vs 112.563 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,049,634 to $534,667 moving to Elizabeth.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 46.6" |
Annual temperature drops 7.0Β°F moving to Elizabeth per NOAA normals.
Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.96 |
Elizabeth households earn about 1.8% less than Thousand Oaks at the median β $134,367 β $63,874 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 1.8% higher than Thousand Oaks (112.563 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 Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2823 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 49.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 2823 mi and the route typically takes 50h 21m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 52.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Elizabeth, NJ.