Firstly why Thousand-Oaks, California?
I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:
- City: Thousand-Oaks
- State: California
- Population: 129,769 people
- Thousand-Oaks’s quick summary would be Known for its beautiful parks, including the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden.
Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:
- How many people move-in: 15,000 annually
- While this many move-out: 14,000 annually
- Net Migration: 1000 more people in (net) annual change
- Non-Citizen Move-in: 600
- Number of Homeless people: 150
You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features upscale living and good schools appealing to families and professionals
Perk #1: Thousand-Oaks Demographic Mix & Lifestyle
- The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 33%
- Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 55%
- Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
- The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
- The median income is (and growing) $90,000
- Income Required to Live Comfortably in Thousand-Oaks is $89,000
- Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $-1000 in negative cash flow
This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?
Perk #2: Housing & Thousand-Oaks’s Cost of Living
- Cost of Living Index: 160 (100 is the US average)
- Annual Property Tax Per House: $4,658
- Property Tax %: 1.09%
- Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $2,000
- Rent for an average house: $2,600
- Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Thousand Oaks
- Top 5 Growing Areas: Thousand-Oaks, Westlake-Village, Agoura-Hills, Calabasas, and probably could include Newbury-Park
- Avg. Age of Homes in Thousand-Oaks: 44 years
- The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.9%
If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.
Perk #3: Job Market & Thousand-Oaks’s Economy
- 3 Industries gaining traction in Thousand-Oaks are Healthcare, Retail, and Education
- Thousand-Oaks Job Scene: strong job market centered on healthcare and finance
- The General Tech Scene: limited tech scene primarily centered around local ad firms and healthcare technology , ,
- Thousand-Oaks Resident’s pay $1,300 in City Tax alone!
- Local Sales Tax in Thousand-Oaks: 9.25%
- No. of Independent Businesses: 90 (excluding chains and corporates)
- Number of Local Branch Banks: 8
Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.
Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Thousand-Oaks
- Monthly Transportation Costs: $170 on average per person
- Freeway Access: U.S. Route 101 links Thousand Oaks to the greater LA area
- Commute Time: 27 minutes (public & private)
- Main Evening Traffic Area: backups on Moorpark Road
- Transportation Score: 20 out of 100 described as Minimal Transit
- No. of Vehicles Registered in Thousand-Oaks: 60,000
- Cars registered per Person: 0.5
- No. of Car Washes: 5 in and around the city
- DMV Website for Thousand-Oaks: dmv.ca.gov
- The Bike-Friendly Score: 65 of 100
- Local Airport: Bob Hope
Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.
Perk #5: Thousand-Oaks’s Weather & Natural Factors
- The Most Common Natural Disaster is Wildfires
- General Weather in Thousand-Oaks is best described as has mild winters with cool temperatures and warm dry summers with occasional heat waves
- Winter Weather in Thousand-Oaks i’d describe as mild and partly cloudy
- Spring Weather in Thousand-Oaks can be described as mild and dry
- Summer’s in Thousand-Oaks are mostly warm and mild
- Fall ( the nicest time) in Thousand-Oaks is usually mild and sunny
- How many days in a row over 90°F: 30 days in summer
- Days in a row in Thousand-Oaks below Freezing: 0
- Average Annual Rainfall: 17 inches
- Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality maintained by area regulations
- Thousand-Oaks Winter Air generally good air quality minimal impact from pollution
Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.
Perk #6: Thousand-Oaks Education & Schools
- The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
- Number of Colleges and Universities in Thousand-Oaks 3
- While the number of trade schools inside Thousand-Oakss’s city limits are 3
- Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Thousand Oaks Library
If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.
Perk #7: Healthcare & Thousand-Oaks Stats
- Typical EMS Response Time: 11 minutes
- Registered Full-Time Thousand-Oaks only Doctors is about 80
- Local Hospitals here is 3
- Full-time Thousand-Oaks only Police Officers is about 100
- Crime Rate Index: 20/100
Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.
Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality
- Thousand-Oaks’s Monthly utility bill average is $200
- Thousand-Oaks’s Monthly Gym Membership: $66
- Thousand-Oaks’s Water Quality Score: 78
Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.
Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Thousand-Oaks
- Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 6 annually
- The General Local City Vibe: affluent area with great schools and a family-friendly vibe
- You might enjoy theater shows at the Fred Kavli Theatre
- Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Thousand-Oaks offers a variety of casual dining options and cozy bars where locals meet for social activities
If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.
Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Thousand-Oaks
- The Objective Restaurant Scene Offers a mix of upscale dining and casual eateries
- The Number of Independent Restaurants are 40 scattered around Thousand-Oaks
- The Popular Sports Team is Thousand Oaks High School
- Top Level Political Climate in Thousand-Oaks can be described as politically moderate with a focus on family and education
- Thousand-Oaks’s Longer standing religious establishment is Thousand Oaks United Methodist Church
Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.
Perk #11: Thousand-Oaks Parks & Green Spaces
- Did you know Thousand-Oaks has 35 Parks?
- Wildwood Park is Thousand-Oaks’s Green Space Center
- The local favorite Farmers Market is Thousand Oaks Farmers Market normally open Sunday 9am-1pm
- Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, biking, and picnicking
Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.
Perk #12: Thousand-Oaks Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity
- The Pace of Life in Thousand-Oaks can be described as quiet suburban oasis with strong community ties
- 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Thousand-Oaks attending local festivals exploring parks learning outdoor skills
- The Cities people commute to from Thousand-Oaks are Simi-Valley 13 miles away Moorpark 12 miles away Agoura-Hills 26 miles away
Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.
8 Drawbacks about Thousand-Oaks or are they?
No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.
- Traffic/Commute Issues
Maybe you read: backups on Moorpark Road. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts. - Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
Thousand-Oaks’s Wildfires risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up. - Pricey Neighborhoods
If Thousand Oaks is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Thousand-Oaks are Simi-Valley 13 miles away Moorpark 12 miles away Agoura-Hills 26 miles away. - Crime Rate Concerns
With a 20 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this. - Harsh Climate Contrasts
Thousand-Oaks has 0 days in a row below freezing and 30 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it. - Limited Extra Funds
After general costs of living here in Thousand-Oaks people have an average (positive or negative) $-1000 in negative cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here. - Homelessness or Social Challenges
150 homeless people living in Thousand-Oaks. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions. - Cultural/Political Mismatch
The general politically moderate with a focus on family and education could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Thousand-Oaks.
Retiree & Senior Life in Thousand-Oaks
- Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might receive tax credits specifically targeted towards older adults
- The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Reserve at Thousand Oaks
- Thousand Oaks Senior Center features programs for seniors including art and music classes
If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.
Moving to Thousand-Oaks, California?
If Thousand-Oaks, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help
As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.
A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Thousand-Oaks, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!