Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Elk Grove, CA
It is a 381 mi drive, roughly 7h 8m, between Thousand Oaks, CA and Elk Grove, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
381 mi Β· 7h 8m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Stockton, Antioch, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Elk Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.5% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Elk Grove -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 18.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 177,221 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $122,229 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.24 |
Households in Elk Grove earn about 3.5% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elk Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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 Elk Grove average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 much do homes cost in Elk Grove compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $637,450 in Elk Grove vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 39.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Elk Grove more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elk Grove is 3.5% lower than Thousand Oaks (106.67 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elk Grove compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Elk Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $122,229 in Elk Grove vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 9.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to Elk Grove?
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 far is Elk Grove, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 381 mi and the route typically takes 7h 8m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 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· Elk Grove, CA.