Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Garden Grove, CA
Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Garden Grove, CA covers 73 mi and about 1h 32m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
73 mi Β· 1h 32m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 134, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Garden Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Thousand Oaks (110.534) and Garden Grove (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up β $1,049,634 vs $1,013,183 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Garden Grove +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 12.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Garden Grove β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 170,603 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $90,166 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 39.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.51 |
Median household income in Garden Grove is 2.7% below Thousand Oaks ($134,367 vs $90,166, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garden Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Garden Grove sees only 12.5 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 does the job market in Garden Grove compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Garden Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 73 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Garden Grove more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garden Grove is 2.7% higher than Thousand Oaks (113.566 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Garden Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,166 in Garden Grove vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 32.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Garden Grove compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,013,183 in Garden Grove vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 3.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Garden Grove, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 73 mi and the route typically takes 1h 32m via CA 134 and I 5. 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· Garden Grove, CA.