Scottsdale AZ 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)
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
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
Scottsdale
242,169
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 81.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Scottsdale +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $1,053,424 | Scottsdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Thousand Oaks
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
Thousand Oaks
2388
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
26.2%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 15.0% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.7% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.6% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Thousand Oaks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | 62.7°F | Thousand Oaks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 16.5 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $858,307. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Thousand Oaks. Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thousand Oaks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.0%.
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