Carmel IN vs Thousand Oaks CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Thousand Oaks, CA
California · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,053,424
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Carmel
77.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 77.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $1,053,424 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Thousand Oaks
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Thousand Oaks
2388
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.1% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 15.0% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 5.8% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.6% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 62.7°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 16.5 in | Thousand Oaks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Thousand Oaks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,592. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Thousand Oaks. Thousand Oaks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thousand Oaks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.0%.
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