Moving from Topeka, KS to Thousand Oaks, CA
It is 1591 mi and 27h 36m from Topeka to Thousand Oaks β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1591 mi Β· 27h 36m by car Β· KS β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Topeka | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.82 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.942 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.027 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.987 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Thousand Oaks is 24.4% more expensive than Topeka on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $190,096 in Topeka to $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks, a 24.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Topeka -1.1%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Topeka | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.3" | 12.0" |
Expect 7.6Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TOPEKA - NWS, KS US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Topeka | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $55,902 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.5% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to rise 24.4% β $55,902 β $134,367 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Thousand Oaks MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,690 | $47,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,940 | $34,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 29,050 | $37,470 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,520 | $39,670 |
| Management Occupations | 20,990 | $124,680 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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: Thousand Oaks sees only 12.0 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Topeka to Thousand Oaks?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1591 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 Thousand Oaks compared to Topeka?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $190,096 in Topeka β a 452.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than Topeka?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 24.4% higher than Topeka (110.534 vs 88.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Topeka, KS?
The driving distance is 1591 mi and the route typically takes 27h 36m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Topeka vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $55,902 in Topeka β a 140.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Topeka?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $45,340 in the Topeka MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 113,350 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 Topeka.
City profiles: Topeka, KS Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.