Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Ontario, CA
It is a 82 mi drive, roughly 1h 42m, between Thousand Oaks, CA and Ontario, 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.
82 mi Β· 1h 42m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 134, I 210, CA 60 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 110.534 vs 106.442 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 3.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,049,634 to $672,742 moving to Ontario.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 11.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Thousand Oaks (62.5Β°F) and Ontario (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.39 |
Ontario households earn about 3.7% less than Thousand Oaks at the median β $134,367 β $82,806 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ontario MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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 Ontario average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Ontario sees only 11.6 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 far is Ontario, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 82 mi and the route typically takes 1h 42m via CA 134 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 35.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Ontario more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 3.7% lower than Thousand Oaks (106.442 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 Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 38.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 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 Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 82 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· Ontario, CA.