Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to San Mateo, CA
The 361 mi from Thousand Oaks to San Mateo translate to about 7h 8m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
361 mi Β· 7h 8m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154, CA 92 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Oxnard, San Buenaventura |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Thousand Oaks (110.534) and San Mateo (115.613) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in San Mateo: 4.6% above Thousand Oaks on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 19.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.6 |
Income steps up 4.6%: $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $152,669 in San Mateo.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- 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
Is San Mateo more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 4.6% higher than Thousand Oaks (115.613 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 60.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 13.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 361 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 San Mateo compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 361 mi and the route typically takes 7h 8m via US 101 and CA 154. 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· San Mateo, CA.