Morgan Hill, CA vs Thousand Oaks, CA

Morgan Hill, CA and Thousand Oaks, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.5% difference in their overall index. Morgan Hill scores 201 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 Morgan Hill is $2,275/month compared to $2,580/month in Thousand Oaks — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Morgan Hill has cheaper rent, Thousand Oaks actually has lower median home values ($951,200 vs $1,127,600).

Median household income in Morgan Hill is $159,758 compared to $134,367 in Thousand Oaks (+18.9%). While Morgan Hill is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Morgan Hill spend roughly 17.1% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Thousand Oaks.

Climate-wise, Thousand Oaks is notably warmer with an average of 62.5°F compared to 57.2°F in Morgan Hill. Morgan Hill receives more rainfall at 22.4" per year compared to 12" in Thousand Oaks.