St. Louis MO 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)
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
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
St. Louis
293,109
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 45.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 43.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $1,053,424 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Thousand Oaks
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Thousand Oaks
2388
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Thousand Oaks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Thousand Oaks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.1% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | 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.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Thousand Oaks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs St. Louis, MOLos Angeles, CA vs St. Louis, MOChicago, IL vs St. Louis, MOHouston, TX vs St. Louis, MOPhoenix, AZ vs St. Louis, MOPhiladelphia, PA vs St. Louis, MO