Grand Rapids MI 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 61.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 17.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $1,053,424 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Thousand Oaks
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Thousand Oaks
2388
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Thousand Oaks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.1% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 62.7°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 16.5 in | Thousand Oaks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Thousand Oaks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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
Grand Rapids, MI vs New York, NYGrand Rapids, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Rapids, MIGrand Rapids, MI vs Houston, TXGrand Rapids, MI vs Phoenix, AZGrand Rapids, MI vs Philadelphia, PA