Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Chicago
39.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 39.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 28.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $1,053,424 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Thousand Oaks
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Thousand Oaks
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Thousand Oaks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.1% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 62.7°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 16.5 in | Thousand Oaks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Thousand Oaks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX