Skyline of Thousand Oaks
Cost of Living: 150 126,000

Thousand Oaks, CA, US

Safe Ventura County city with Conejo Valley schools and proximity to beaches.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Thousand Oaks is a city in CA with a population of 126,000. Safe Ventura County city with Conejo Valley schools and proximity to beaches. Housing is notably more expensive than the national average. The overall cost of living is above the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6b growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 285 sunny days a year.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 150

Very High vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 180

Very Expensive

Median Income $95,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.2%

Job market health

Thousand Oaks vs US Average

Cost of Living
Thousand Oaks: 150
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Thousand Oaks: 180
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Thousand Oaks: 8%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 8.0%
  • Sales Tax: 10.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $95,000
  • Unemployment: 3.2%
  • Population: 126,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 285/year
  • Summer High: 82°F
  • Winter Low: 45°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6b

Housing

  • Median Home: $800,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1900/mo

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Cost of Living

Thousand Oaks's cost of living index is 150 (US average = 100).

CategoryThousand OaksNational AverageDifference
Overall150100+50.0%
Housing180100+80.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$800,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1900/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$2,375/mo
Price per Sq Ft$533

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Thousand Oaks:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$243Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$31Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$95Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$75Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$30Private service
Total Utilities$474Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Thousand Oaks scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
150
Rent
$1900
Sunny Days
285
Tax
8%
Unemployment
3.2%
Climate
82°F / 45°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
126,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Thousand Oaks has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January65°F45°F2.5"
April67°F60°F2.8"
July82°F57°F1.5"
October62°F63°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6b

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Thousand Oaks faces the following natural hazards:

Wildfire Extreme Risk

Frequent and severe wildfire seasons.

Earthquake High Risk

Located on the San Andreas Fault system with frequent seismic activity.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat in inland and desert regions.

Drought High Risk

Frequent and severe drought conditions.

Landslide High Risk

Coastal and mountainous regions with frequent landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Sierra Nevada with frequent avalanches.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods and river flooding.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in desert regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 8%
  • Sales Tax: 10%
  • Property Tax: ~0.75% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.

Schools & Education

65/100
School Quality Score
Better than 74% of US cities
?
21
Total Schools
6.3:1
Student:Teacher
92.7%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Demographics

The population of Thousand Oaks is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
9.5%
Black or African American
2.0%
Hispanic or Latino
19.8%
Native American
0.1%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.1%
Other
1.1%
Two or more races
4.6%
White
62.8%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
50.9%
High school graduate
14.3%
Less than high school
5.4%
Some college
29.5%

Religion

Buddhist
2.0%
Christian
58.0%
Hindu
2.0%
Jewish
3.0%
Muslim
2.0%
Unaffiliated
33.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Thousand Oaks, CA, US?

The cost of living index in Thousand Oaks is 150, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Thousand Oaks?

The median home price in Thousand Oaks is $800,000. The housing index is 180.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Thousand Oaks is approximately $1900/mo.

Does Thousand Oaks, CA have income tax?

Thousand Oaks is in CA, which has an income tax rate of 8%.

What is the climate like in Thousand Oaks?

Thousand Oaks enjoys approximately 285 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 82°F, while winter lows can drop to around 45°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.