Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Santa Clara, CA
Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Santa Clara, CA covers 339 mi and about 6h 44m 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.
339 mi Β· 6h 44m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154, CR G4 |
| Major cities en route | Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Fremont, San Jose |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Santa Clara | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Santa Clara and Thousand Oaks is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Santa Clara is 0.1% above Thousand Oaks β $1,049,634 vs $1,782,192 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Santa Clara -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 13.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Thousand Oaks (62.5Β°F) and Santa Clara (60.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 129,239 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $173,670 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.66 |
Median household income in Santa Clara is 0.1% above Thousand Oaks ($134,367 vs $173,670, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clara MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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: Santa Clara sees only 13.5 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
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to Santa Clara?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 339 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clara compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,782,192 in Santa Clara vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 69.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Santa Clara, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 339 mi and the route typically takes 6h 44m via US 101 and CA 154. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Santa Clara more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clara is 0.1% lower than Thousand Oaks (110.423 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Santa Clara compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 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 Santa Clara?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $173,670 in Santa Clara vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 29.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Santa Clara, CA.