San Marcos TX 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)
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
San Marcos
99,507
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
San Marcos
66.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 66.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $1,053,424 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Thousand Oaks
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
Thousand Oaks
2388
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.1% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Thousand Oaks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 62.7°F | Thousand Oaks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 16.5 in | Thousand Oaks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Thousand Oaks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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