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

Thousand Oaks

California
226
VS

Berkeley

California
251

Thousand Oaks is 10% cheaper than Berkeley.

$2,580/mo ↑ 21%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↓ 18%
$134,367/yr ↑ 24%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↓ 19%
$951,200 ↓ 30%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 42%
$2,726/mo ↑ 16%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↓ 14%
125,676
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

23.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Thousand Oaks, CA and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 226 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $453/month cheaper in Berkeley, saving renters about $5,436/year.

Median household income is $25,809/year higher in Thousand Oaks. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Thousand Oaks is $951,200 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thousand Oaks vs Berkeley — common questions

Is Thousand Oaks or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Thousand Oaks is cheaper to live in with an index of 226 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Thousand Oaks and Berkeley?
Median rent in Thousand Oaks is $2,580/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $453/month.
Which city has higher income, Thousand Oaks or Berkeley?
Median household income is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $25,809/year higher in Thousand Oaks.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Thousand Oaks or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. Thousand Oaks has a cost index of 226 with median rent of $2,580/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Thousand Oaks details → View Berkeley details →

More Comparisons

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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 Berkeley vs. Ann Arbor Berkeley vs. Fairfield Berkeley vs. Lafayette Berkeley vs. Hartford Berkeley vs. Rochester Berkeley vs. West Palm Beach