Richmond 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)
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Richmond
115,396
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Richmond
21.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 21.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 17.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 13.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $1,053,424 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Thousand Oaks
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Thousand Oaks
2388
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, 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
Richmond
32.9%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Thousand Oaks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.1% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.7% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 62.7°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 16.5 in | Thousand Oaks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, 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
Richmond
37.7 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $608,357. On public safety, Thousand Oaks is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. 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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