Median rent is 35% lower in Austin ($1,729/mo vs $2,664/mo). Buying is cheaper in Austin, where the median home runs $555,300 versus $991,600. Households earn more in Thousand Oaks ($135,603 vs $93,658 a year). Taken together, Thousand Oaks is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 85.8 against 98.3 — about 13% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Thousand Oaks, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Thousand Oaks is 13% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 85.8 in Thousand Oaks vs 98.3 in Austin (US national average = 100)
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Thousand Oaks, CA
How much would you need to earn in Thousand Oaks, CA to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
Equivalent salary in Thousand Oaks, CA
$65,509
You could earn $9,491 less (13% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Austin
Texas
Thousand Oaks
California
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Austin — median rent of $1,729/mo versus $2,664/mo in Thousand Oaks, a 35% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Thousand Oaks: the median home is $991,600 versus $555,300 in Austin — 44% more expensive.
Metric
Austin
Thousand Oaks
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Austin
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Thousand Oaks
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 65.0) but not yet for Thousand Oaks.
Pick Thousand Oaks if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 85.8 vs 98.3).
Pick Thousand Oaks if you prioritize higher median household income ($135,603/yr).
Pick Austin if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,729/mo median).
Thousand Oaks is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 85.8 versus 98.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 13% lower in Thousand Oaks.
Median rent is $1,729/mo in Austin, TX and $2,664/mo in Thousand Oaks, CA. Austin, TX has the lower rent by about 35%.
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin, TX and $135,603 in Thousand Oaks, CA. Thousand Oaks, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Austin, TX is equivalent to roughly $87,345 in Thousand Oaks, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
