Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Stockton, CA
Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Stockton, CA covers 347 mi and about 6h 28m 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.
347 mi Β· 6h 28m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 118 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Modesto, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Stockton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 105.089 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 158.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 115.614 | 100.0 |
Stockton and Thousand Oaks are close on the overall BEA RPP (110.534 vs 105.089); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Stockton typical home at $431,328 is 4.9% under Thousand Oaks at $1,049,634 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Stockton -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 17.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.5Β°F vs 63.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Stockton sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 320,470 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $76,851 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 13% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.26 |
Median household income in Stockton is 4.9% below Thousand Oaks ($134,367 vs $76,851, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Stockton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,370 | $47,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 29,980 | $48,070 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,030 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 20,670 | $37,090 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 18,640 | $47,930 |
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 Stockton average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Stockton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 347 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Stockton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,851 in Stockton vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 42.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Stockton more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Stockton is 4.9% lower than Thousand Oaks (105.089 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Stockton compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $431,328 in Stockton vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 58.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Stockton, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 347 mi and the route typically takes 6h 28m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Stockton compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Stockton MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 278,010 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· Stockton, CA.