Lafayette LA 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)
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
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
Lafayette
121,537
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 59.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 28.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $1,053,424 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Thousand Oaks
503
Thousand Oaks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Thousand Oaks
2388
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Thousand Oaks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Thousand Oaks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.1% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Thousand Oaks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 62.7°F | Thousand Oaks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 16.5 in | Thousand Oaks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Thousand Oaks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Thousand Oaks is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. 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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