Median rent is 24% lower in Oxnard ($1,962/mo vs $2,580/mo). Buying is cheaper in Oxnard, where the median home runs $617,800 versus $951,200. Households earn more in Thousand Oaks ($134,367 vs $93,372 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (87.3).
City A
Oxnard, CA
City B
Thousand Oaks, CA
How much would you need to earn in Thousand Oaks, CA to maintain your standard of living from Oxnard, CA?
Equivalent salary in Thousand Oaks, CA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
Oxnard
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 Oxnard — median rent of $1,962/mo versus $2,580/mo in Thousand Oaks, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Thousand Oaks: the median home is $951,200 versus $617,800 in Oxnard — 35% more expensive.
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).
Oxnard
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Thousand Oaks
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Oxnard (avg AQI 63.0) but not yet for Thousand Oaks.
Pick Thousand Oaks if you prioritize higher median household income ($134,367/yr).
Pick Oxnard if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,962/mo median).
Is Oxnard cheaper than Thousand Oaks?
Oxnard is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 87.3 versus 87.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Oxnard.
How much is rent in Oxnard vs Thousand Oaks?
Median rent is $1,962/mo in Oxnard, CA and $2,580/mo in Thousand Oaks, CA. Oxnard, CA has the lower rent by about 24%.
Which has higher salaries — Oxnard or Thousand Oaks?
Median household income is $93,372 in Oxnard, 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 — Oxnard 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 Oxnard income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Oxnard, CA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 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