Median rent is 32% lower in New York ($1,821/mo vs $2,664/mo). Buying is cheaper in New York, where the median home runs $777,600 versus $991,600. Households earn more in Thousand Oaks ($135,603 vs $80,483 a year). Taken together, Thousand Oaks is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 85.8 against 112.6 — about 24% 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 24% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 85.8 in Thousand Oaks vs 112.6 in New York (US national average = 100)
City A
New York, NY
City B
Thousand Oaks, CA
How much would you need to earn in Thousand Oaks, CA to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
Equivalent salary in Thousand Oaks, CA
$57,152
You could earn $17,848 less (24% 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
New York
New York
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 New York — median rent of $1,821/mo versus $2,664/mo in Thousand Oaks, a 32% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Thousand Oaks: the median home is $991,600 versus $777,600 in New York — 22% more expensive.
Metric
New York
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.
New York
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Thousand Oaks
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 46.0) but not yet for Thousand Oaks.
Pick Thousand Oaks if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 85.8 vs 112.6).
Pick Thousand Oaks if you prioritize higher median household income ($135,603/yr).
Pick New York if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,821/mo median).
Thousand Oaks is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 85.8 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 24% lower in Thousand Oaks.
Median rent is $1,821/mo in New York, NY and $2,664/mo in Thousand Oaks, CA. New York, NY has the lower rent by about 32%.
Median household income is $80,483 in New York, NY 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 New York, NY is equivalent to roughly $76,203 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
