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

Thousand Oaks

California
226
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Thousand Oaks is 148% more expensive than College Station.

$2,580/mo ↑ 121%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 55%
$134,367/yr ↑ 160%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 61%
$951,200 ↑ 191%
Home Value
$326,500 ↓ 66%
$2,726/mo ↑ 118%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 54%
125,676
Population
122,280

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

23.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Thousand Oaks, CA and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 226 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,412/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $16,944/year.

Median household income is $82,591/year higher in Thousand Oaks. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Thousand Oaks is $951,200 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Thousand Oaks vs College Station — common questions

Is Thousand Oaks or College Station cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, College Station is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 226 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Thousand Oaks and College Station?
Median rent in Thousand Oaks is $2,580/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $1,412/month.
Which city has higher income, Thousand Oaks or College Station?
Median household income is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $82,591/year higher in Thousand Oaks.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Thousand Oaks or College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Thousand Oaks has a cost index of 226 with median rent of $2,580/mo, while College Station has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,168/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Thousand Oaks details → View College Station details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Thousand Oaks and College Station

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 College Station vs. Clovis College Station vs. Independence College Station vs. Arvada College Station vs. Rochester College Station vs. Concord College Station vs. Lafayette