Rochester MN 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)
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
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
Rochester
26,509
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Rochester
82.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Rochester
3.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 82.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 3.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $1,053,424 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Thousand Oaks
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
Thousand Oaks
2388
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 503 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2388 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
36.4%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.1% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 15.0% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 16.5 in | Thousand Oaks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Thousand Oaks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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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