salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.8 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $132,000 a year. That is $63 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 552 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Thousand Oaks?
Share of households by yearly income. 53.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Thousand Oaks
| Size | Thousand Oaks | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,390 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,455 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,751 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,403 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Thousand Oaks overall?
Everyday prices in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura metro area are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Thousand Oaks
Life in Thousand Oaks
What jobs pay in Thousand Oaks
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $185,520 | 21.3% |
| Pharmacist | $160,430 | 24.7% |
| Software Developer | $159,430 | 24.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $154,760 | 25.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $148,800 | 26.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $131,160 | 30.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $126,530 | 31.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $119,970 | 33.0% |
| Police Officer | $119,640 | 33.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $108,820 | 36.4% |
| Operations Manager | $103,870 | 38.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $99,420 | 39.8% |
| Accountant | $90,340 | 43.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $80,100 | 49.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,020 | 50.1% |
| Firefighter | $77,400 | 51.2% |
| Carpenter | $74,060 | 53.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $69,710 | 56.8% |
| Electrician | $64,840 | 61.1% |
| Plumber | $62,300 | 63.6% |
| Truck Driver | $59,120 | 67.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $50,680 | 78.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,190 | 80.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,800 | 84.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $42,060 | 94.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,920 | 94.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,880 | 107.4% |
| Cashier | $36,150 | 109.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,910 | 113.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Thousand Oaks?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,580 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $991,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $99,160 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Thousand Oaks, CA?
Renting in Thousand Oaks costs a median of about $3,300 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Thousand Oaks?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $132,000 a year, or $63 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Thousand Oaks cheap or expensive?
Thousand Oaks is rated OK: rent takes 27.1% of the typical household income of $146,248. It ranks 552nd cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Thousand Oaks?
The median homeowner in Thousand Oaks pays $6,821 a year in property taxes, about 0.69% of the median home value.
Is Thousand Oaks more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Thousand Oaks?
The median home value in Thousand Oaks is $991,600, about 6.8 times the typical yearly household income.
125,205 people live in Thousand Oaks. Numbers are typical (middle) values.