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

Thousand Oaks

California
226
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Thousand Oaks is 126% more expensive than Wilmington.

$2,580/mo ↑ 97%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 49%
$134,367/yr ↑ 110%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 52%
$951,200 ↑ 172%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 63%
$2,726/mo ↑ 99%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 50%
125,676
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

23.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Thousand Oaks, CA and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 226 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,269/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $15,228/year.

Median household income is $70,467/year higher in Thousand Oaks. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Thousand Oaks is $951,200 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Wilmington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thousand Oaks vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Thousand Oaks or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 226 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Thousand Oaks and Wilmington?
Median rent in Thousand Oaks is $2,580/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $1,269/month.
Which city has higher income, Thousand Oaks or Wilmington?
Median household income is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $70,467/year higher in Thousand Oaks.
How do taxes compare between California and North Carolina?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Thousand Oaks or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Thousand Oaks has a cost index of 226 with median rent of $2,580/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Thousand Oaks details → View Wilmington details →

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