Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to New Orleans, LA
A 1945 mi cross-country move between Thousand Oaks and New Orleans is 33h 60m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 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.
1945 mi Β· 33h 60m by car Β· LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Beaumont, Pasadena, League City, Houston, Pearland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 16.2% moving from Thousand Oaks to New Orleans β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks to $242,493 in New Orleans, a 16.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 60.1" |
Annual temperature rises 8.4Β°F moving to New Orleans per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: New Orleans sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.43 |
New Orleans households earn about 16.2% less than Thousand Oaks at the median β $134,367 β $55,339 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in New Orleans MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 64,460 | $38,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 59,980 | $26,320 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 48,630 | $37,420 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 48,580 | $31,100 |
| Management Occupations | 33,120 | $101,850 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Louisiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Louisiana'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
- 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 New Orleans 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: New Orleans averages 60.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit 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.
- Register to vote in Louisiana after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is New Orleans more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 16.2% lower than Thousand Oaks (92.597 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is New Orleans, LA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 1945 mi and the route typically takes 33h 60m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 76.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 58.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to New Orleans?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1945 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· New Orleans, LA.