Stamford CT 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)
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Stamford
135,806
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stamford
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Stamford
38.2
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Stamford
31.8%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Stamford
49.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Stamford
19.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Stamford
7.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Stamford
28.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Stamford
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,806 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 31.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 49.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 28.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stamford
$107,474
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Stamford
$64,382
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Stamford
4.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Stamford
9.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Stamford
51.7%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,474 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $64,382 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,230 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Stamford
47.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $708,498 | $1,053,424 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Thousand Oaks
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
Thousand Oaks
2388
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 503 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2388 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
25.5%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stamford
12.3%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stamford
16.4%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.7%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.5% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.1% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 15.0% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
53.2 in
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.3°F | 62.7°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2 in | 16.5 in | Thousand Oaks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stamford
75.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stamford
30.1 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $708,498. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Thousand Oaks. Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thousand Oaks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.0%.
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