Santa Clarita 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)
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
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
Santa Clarita
229,021
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Clarita
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Santa Clarita
38.1
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Santa Clarita
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 53.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 36.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,926 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $49,571 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Santa Clarita +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $802,780 | $1,053,424 | Santa Clarita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
503
Thousand Oaks
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
2388
Thousand Oaks
2388
Tie
| Metric | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.7% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $802,780. On public safety, Thousand Oaks is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Clarita. 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Santa Clarita, CALos Angeles, CA vs Santa Clarita, CAChicago, IL vs Santa Clarita, CAHouston, TX vs Santa Clarita, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Santa Clarita, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Santa Clarita, CA