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

Thousand Oaks

California
226
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Thousand Oaks is 35% more expensive than Fairfield.

$2,580/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↓ 15%
$134,367/yr ↑ 31%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↓ 24%
$951,200 ↑ 61%
Home Value
$592,500 ↓ 38%
$2,726/mo ↑ 22%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↓ 18%
125,676
Population
119,985

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Thousand Oaks, CA and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 226 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $389/month cheaper in Fairfield, saving renters about $4,668/year.

Median household income is $32,046/year higher in Thousand Oaks. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Thousand Oaks is $951,200 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Thousand Oaks vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Thousand Oaks or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fairfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 167 compared to 226 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Thousand Oaks and Fairfield?
Median rent in Thousand Oaks is $2,580/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $389/month.
Which city has higher income, Thousand Oaks or Fairfield?
Median household income is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $32,046/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 Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Thousand Oaks has a cost index of 226 with median rent of $2,580/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Thousand Oaks details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Thousand Oaks and Fairfield

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 Fairfield vs. Berkeley Fairfield vs. Hartford Fairfield vs. Ann Arbor Fairfield vs. West Palm Beach Fairfield vs. Lafayette Fairfield vs. Spring Hill