Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Temecula, CA
Relocating between Thousand Oaks, CA and Temecula, CA is a 129 mi drive β 2h 34m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
129 mi Β· 2h 34m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, US 101, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | San Buenaventura, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Temecula | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Temecula -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Temecula |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 15.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Temecula |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 110,404 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $117,840 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 25.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.12 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 3.7% lower in Temecula than Thousand Oaks.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Temecula 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
- 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 Temecula?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 129 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Temecula more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Temecula 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 Temecula?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,840 in Temecula vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 12.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Temecula compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Temecula 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.
How much do homes cost in Temecula compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $766,379 in Temecula vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 27.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Temecula, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 129 mi and the route typically takes 2h 34m via I 15 and US 101. 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· Temecula, CA.