Downey CA 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)
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
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
Downey
114,617
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Downey
21.0%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Downey
0.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 21.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 0.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Downey +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $1,053,424 | Downey + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Thousand Oaks
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Thousand Oaks
2388
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Thousand Oaks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.1% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 16.5 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $888,820. On public safety, Thousand Oaks is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. 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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