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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Thousand Oaks

California
226

San Antonio is 64% cheaper than Thousand Oaks.

$1,258/mo ↓ 51%
Median Rent
$2,580/mo ↑ 105%
$62,917/yr ↓ 53%
Median Income
$134,367/yr ↑ 114%
$219,700 ↓ 77%
Home Value
$951,200 ↑ 333%
$1,235/mo ↓ 55%
Owner Costs
$2,726/mo ↑ 121%
1,458,954
Population
125,676

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Thousand Oaks, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 226 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,322/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $15,864/year.

Median household income is $71,450/year higher in Thousand Oaks. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $951,200 in Thousand Oaks.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Thousand Oaks — common questions

Is San Antonio or Thousand Oaks cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 226 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Thousand Oaks?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Thousand Oaks it's $2,580/month — a difference of $1,322/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Thousand Oaks?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $134,367 in Thousand Oaks. Median household income is $71,450/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 San Antonio or Thousand Oaks?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Thousand Oaks details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Antonio and Thousand Oaks

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