Altadena, CA vs Thousand Oaks, CA

Altadena, CA and Thousand Oaks, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Altadena scores 196 while Thousand Oaks scores 196 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Altadena is $2,250/month compared to $2,580/month in Thousand Oaks — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Altadena has cheaper rent, Thousand Oaks actually has lower median home values ($951,200 vs $1,073,500).

Median household income in Altadena is $129,123 compared to $134,367 in Thousand Oaks (-3.9%). Thousand Oaks offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Altadena spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Thousand Oaks.