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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Thousand Oaks

California
226

El Paso is 70% cheaper than Thousand Oaks.

$1,041/mo ↓ 60%
Median Rent
$2,580/mo ↑ 148%
$58,734/yr ↓ 56%
Median Income
$134,367/yr ↑ 129%
$171,700 ↓ 82%
Home Value
$951,200 ↑ 454%
$1,044/mo ↓ 62%
Owner Costs
$2,726/mo ↑ 161%
678,147
Population
125,676

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Thousand Oaks, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 226 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,539/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $18,468/year.

Median household income is $75,633/year higher in Thousand Oaks. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $951,200 in Thousand Oaks.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Thousand Oaks — common questions

Is El Paso or Thousand Oaks cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 226 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Thousand Oaks?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Thousand Oaks it's $2,580/month — a difference of $1,539/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Thousand Oaks?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $134,367 in Thousand Oaks. Median household income is $75,633/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 El Paso or Thousand Oaks?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/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 El Paso details → View Thousand Oaks details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Thousand Oaks

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