Milwaukee WI 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 36.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 38.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,230 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $1,053,424 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Thousand Oaks
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Thousand Oaks
2388
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 503 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2388 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Thousand Oaks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.1% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 62.7°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 16.5 in | Thousand Oaks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Thousand Oaks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 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%.
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