Thousand Oaks CA vs Topeka KS — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Thousand Oaks, CA
California · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,053,424
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
5.3%
White
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Thousand Oaks, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 126,103 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 71.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Thousand Oaks, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $55,902 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $33,290 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 29.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Thousand Oaks, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,053,424 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 59.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thousand Oaks
503
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thousand Oaks
2388
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Thousand Oaks, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Thousand Oaks +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Thousand Oaks, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.0% | 39.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 13.1% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 16.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.8% | 11.4% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 16.9% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
Thousand Oaks +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Thousand Oaks, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 39.0 in | Thousand Oaks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Thousand Oaks, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Thousand Oaks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Topeka
18.3 min
| Metric | Thousand Oaks, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 18.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 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 Thousand Oaks, CALos Angeles, CA vs Thousand Oaks, CAChicago, IL vs Thousand Oaks, CAHouston, TX vs Thousand Oaks, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Thousand Oaks, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Thousand Oaks, CA