Fayetteville NC 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)
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Fayetteville
209,692
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 38.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 42.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $1,053,424 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Thousand Oaks
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Thousand Oaks
2388
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Thousand Oaks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.1% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 62.7°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 16.5 in | Thousand Oaks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Thousand Oaks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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
Fayetteville, NC vs New York, NYFayetteville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, NCFayetteville, NC vs Houston, TXFayetteville, NC vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA