Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Thousand Oaks, CA (2026)

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Thousand Oaks

California
226

Amarillo is 69% cheaper than Thousand Oaks.

$1,049/mo ↓ 59%
Median Rent
$2,580/mo ↑ 146%
$62,469/yr ↓ 54%
Median Income
$134,367/yr ↑ 115%
$186,800 ↓ 80%
Home Value
$951,200 ↑ 409%
$1,074/mo ↓ 61%
Owner Costs
$2,726/mo ↑ 154%
200,945
Population
125,676

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Thousand Oaks, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 226 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,531/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $18,372/year.

Median household income is $71,898/year higher in Thousand Oaks. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $951,200 in Thousand Oaks.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Thousand Oaks — common questions

Is Amarillo or Thousand Oaks cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 226 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Thousand Oaks?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Thousand Oaks it's $2,580/month — a difference of $1,531/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Thousand Oaks?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $134,367 in Thousand Oaks. Median household income is $71,898/year higher in Thousand Oaks.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Thousand Oaks?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Thousand Oaks has a cost index of 226 with rent of $2,580/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Amarillo details → View Thousand Oaks details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Amarillo and Thousand Oaks

Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor Thousand Oaks vs. Simi Valley Thousand Oaks vs. Allentown Thousand Oaks vs. Pearland Thousand Oaks vs. Palm Bay Thousand Oaks vs. Topeka Thousand Oaks vs. Meridian