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

Thousand Oaks

California
226
VS

Cambridge

Massachusetts
239

Thousand Oaks is 5% cheaper than Cambridge.

$2,580/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$2,742/mo ↑ 6%
$134,367/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$126,469/yr ↓ 6%
$951,200 ↓ 9%
Home Value
$1,040,500 ↑ 9%
$2,726/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$2,634/mo ↓ 3%
125,676
Population
117,794

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
9.0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

23.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Thousand Oaks, CA and Cambridge, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 226 and 239 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $162/month cheaper in Thousand Oaks, saving renters about $1,944/year.

Median household income is $7,898/year higher in Thousand Oaks. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Thousand Oaks is $951,200 compared to $1,040,500 in Cambridge.

Massachusetts has a lower income tax rate, making Cambridge slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thousand Oaks vs Cambridge — common questions

Is Thousand Oaks or Cambridge cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Thousand Oaks is cheaper to live in with an index of 226 compared to 239 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Thousand Oaks and Cambridge?
Median rent in Thousand Oaks is $2,580/month and in Cambridge it's $2,742/month — a difference of $162/month.
Which city has higher income, Thousand Oaks or Cambridge?
Median household income is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks and $126,469 in Cambridge. Median household income is $7,898/year higher in Thousand Oaks.
How do taxes compare between California and Massachusetts?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to Thousand Oaks or Cambridge?
It depends on your priorities. Thousand Oaks has a cost index of 226 with median rent of $2,580/mo, while Cambridge has a cost index of 239 with rent of $2,742/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Thousand Oaks details → View Cambridge details →

More Comparisons

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