Median rent is 27% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $2,580/mo). Buying is cheaper in Los Angeles, where the median home runs $879,500 versus $951,200. Households earn more in Thousand Oaks ($134,367 vs $80,366 a year). Taken together, Thousand Oaks is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 87.3 against 113.3 — about 23% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Thousand Oaks, CA.
Quick verdict
Thousand Oaks is 23% cheaper overall
Cost index: 87.3 in Thousand Oaks vs 113.3 in Los Angeles (US average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Thousand Oaks, CA
How much would you need to earn in Thousand Oaks, CA to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in Thousand Oaks, CA
$57,808
You could earn $17,192 less (23% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Los Angeles
California
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Los Angeles — median rent of $1,879/mo versus $2,580/mo in Thousand Oaks, a 27% difference. Median home values are within 8% of each other: $879,500 in Los Angeles and $951,200 in Thousand Oaks.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% versus 13.30% in California, so Thousand Oaks is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 7.25% in California; Thousand Oaks has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Thousand Oaks
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Thousand Oaks.
Pick Thousand Oaks if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 87.3 vs 113.3).
Pick Thousand Oaks if you prioritize higher median household income ($134,367/yr).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,879/mo median).
Is Los Angeles cheaper than Thousand Oaks?
Thousand Oaks is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 87.3 versus 113.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 23% lower in Thousand Oaks.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs Thousand Oaks?
Median rent is $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $2,580/mo in Thousand Oaks, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 27%.
Which has higher salaries — Los Angeles or Thousand Oaks?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $134,367 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.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Los Angeles or Thousand Oaks?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and California's is 13.30%. Thousand Oaks, CA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Thousand Oaks to match my Los Angeles income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $77,078 in Thousand Oaks, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology