Situated in the northwestern portion of Greater Los Angeles, California, Thousand Oaks is one of the best cities in the entire state. Named after the many oak trees present in the area, Thousand Oaks was first incorporated in 1964 and has since expanded to both the west and east. Thousand Oaks has been home to the Chumash people, the Spaniards, as well as the Norwegians, and as a result, Thousand Oaks is one of the most diverse cities in all of California. Today, citizens living in Thousand Oaks enjoy the beautiful natural attractions, wide open space, and high quality of life. As such, Thousand Oaks is a good place to live.
Where Is Thousand Oaks CA?
What county is Thousand Oaks, CA in? Thousand Oaks is in Ventura County, California, which has a population of 843,843. The city is located within the Conejo Valley, which sits at a 900-foot elevation. The northern area of Thousand Oaks consists of mountainous terrain in the Simi Hills, Conejo Mountains, and Mount Clef Ridge. There are also several wetlands in the area, including Lake Eleanor, Twin Ponds, and Hill Canyon Wetlands.
Most of Newbury Park and Westlake also sit inside of the Thousand Oaks city limits. In fact, Newbury Park makes up over 40% of the area of Thousand Oaks.
It is 39.8 miles from Thousand Oaks CA to Los Angeles CA, and 42.1 miles from Thousand Oaks CA to Santa Clarita CA.
Thousand Oaks Information
- County: Ventura County
- Thousand Oaks area: 55.41 square miles
- Thousand Oaks zip code: 91320, 91359-91362
- Thousand Oaks area code: 805, 820
- Thousand Oaks elevation: 886 feet
- Thousand Oaks time zone: Pacific Time Zone (PT)
- Closest airport to Thousand Oaks: Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), 28.1 miles away
Thousand Oaks Population & Demographics
The Thousand Oaks population is 126,966. This is a big change over the past 100 years, as Thousand Oaks had a population of only 100 residents in the 1920s. There are many notable people from Thousand Oaks, such as television host Ellen Degeneres, musician John Fogerty, and actress Marilyn Monore.
Thousand Oaks demographics:
- Sex ratio: 50.8% female, 49.2% male
- Median age: 44.4
- Racial and ethnic composition: 75.6% White (64.9% non-Hispanic), 9.8% Asian, 9.5% two or more races, 1.7% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian
- Median household income: $113,942 (compared to the California average of $84,097)
- Educational attainment: 94.2% high school degree (or higher), 49.2% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Foreign-born population: 17.8%
Transportation in Thousand Oaks California
The best way to get around Thousand Oaks is by car. The Ventura Freeway (U.S. Route 101) runs directly through the city and connects Thousand Oaks with both Los Angeles and Ventura. The Moorpark Freeway (State Route 23) connects to the 101 near downtown Thousand Oaks and runs directly north.
After moving to Thousand Oaks, you will have access to the Thousand Oaks Transit service. The TOT provides buses and shuttles within Thousand Oaks and to other nearby cities. There are also buses and shuttles that stop in Thousand Oaks as a part of the VCTC, LACMTA, and LADOT transportation systems.
The two major airports that serve the Thousand Oaks area are Hollywood Burbank Airport (28 miles away) and Los Angeles International Airport (29 miles away). Thousand Oaks offers public transportation to both airports.
Cost of Living in Thousand Oaks CA
Is Thousand Oaks expensive? The Thousand Oaks Cost of Living Index is 166.4, meaning the city is 66.4% more expensive than the national average of 100. Therefore, Thousand Oaks is an expensive place to live.
It is important to make sure you can afford to live in Thousand Oaks before making your move. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $109,781 per year to live in Thousand Oaks. This comes out to roughly $9,148 per month.
Here’s a breakdown from Numbeo of the typical Thousand Oaks living expenses.
- Average Thousand Oaks utilities per month: $154.61
- Health care (monthly): $1,367
- Child care (monthly): $1,400
- Gallon of gas: $4.90
- Gallon of milk: $4.13
- Gym membership: $154.61
- Movie ticket: $15.00
The Thousand Oaks, California cost of living is also dependent on the taxes you pay. When living in Thousand Oaks, CA, you can expect to pay property, income, and sales taxes. Property taxes in Thousand Oaks are collected by the County but governed by California State Law. To determine the amount of taxes you pay, the County Assessor will assess the value of your property. Once the property value is determined, the Auditor-Controller will apply the appropriate tax rates and levies. The general tax levy is limited to $1 per $100 assessed value of your property.
California has a progressive income tax system, with tax rates ranging from 1% to 12.3% based on your income level. The Thousand Oaks sales tax rate is currently 7.250%.
Although there are many variables that go into the final cost of living, your rent or housing expenses will play a big part in whether or not Thousand Oaks is affordable for you.
Thousand Oaks Real Estate | Average Rent & Home Prices
Are you interested in purchasing Thousand Oaks, CA real estate? According to Redfin, the average home price in Thousand Oaks, CA is $1.7 million. This is up 11.4% compared to last year. Although home prices are up, the market is getting less competitive. Homes are sitting on the market for an average of 34 days compared to 29 days last year. There are an average of 127 homes sold per month, compared to 157 last year.
If you are looking to rent in Thousand Oaks, CA, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Thousand Oaks, CA, is $2,704. Here’s how this number compares to other California cities:
- Los Angeles: $2,781 per month
- San Francisco: $3,313 per month
- San Diego: $2,917 per month
- Santa Monica: $4,017 per month
Some of the top apartment complexes in the area include Monarch at Dos Vientos, Arroyo Villa Apartments, and The Linden Apartments.
Of the 46,270 housing units in Thousand Oaks, 69.15% are owner-occupied and 30.85% are renter-occupied. According to the 2022 Rental Affordability Report, it is more affordable to rent rather than to buy in Thousand Oaks.
Thousand Oaks Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Thousand Oaks
Are you unsure of where to live in Thousand Oaks? There are many wonderful neighborhoods to choose from in the area. These are just a few of the best Thousand Oaks neighborhoods.
Dos Vientos Ranch | Master-Planned Community With Beautiful Views
Dos Vientos Ranch is a neighborhood in the westernmost portion of Newbury Park. It is a 2,350-unit housing development and is still the largest residential project to date in all of the Newbury Park community. The homes in Dos Vientos Ranch all come with incredible views of the Dos Vientos Open Space and the Santa Monica Mountains.
Lynn Ranch | Residential Area Popular Among Families
Lynn Ranch is one of the best neighborhoods in Thousand Oaks. This residential area is home to some of the city’s best schools, including Madrona Elementary School and Redwood Middle School. The neighborhood also has easy access to attractions such as the Arroyo Conejo Open Space and Walnut Grove Park.
Downtown Thousand Oaks | Busy Area Great for Young Professionals and Couples
If you want to be in the middle of all of the action, then check out Downtown Thousand Oaks. The Downtown area is home to many shops, bars, and restaurants situated on East Hillcrest Drive- all within walking distance of one another!
Thousand Oaks CA Weather & Climate
What’s the weather like in Thousand Oaks? The Thousand Oaks climate is a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (per the Köppen classification), meaning the area experiences dry summers and wet winters. Because Thousand Oaks is located in the Conejo Valley, the area has slightly cooler temperatures than surrounding cities due to the elevation. The average temperature in Thousand Oaks during the summer is 80ºF, while the average temperature in the winter is 66ºF.
The Thousand Oaks annual rainfall is only 15.3 inches, meaning the area is mostly dry all year around. On average, there are 268 sunny days per year in the city.
Thousand Oaks Restaurants
When living in Thousand Oaks, California, you have access to many different types of cuisine. These are just a few of the best restaurants in Thousand Oaks.
Mastro’s Steakhouse is one of the best fine dining experiences in the entire city. This elevated steakhouse serves up the best steak in Thousand Oaks. The restaurant has a strict dress code, so make sure you are prepared before you go!
2087 E Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362, 805-418-1811
If you are looking for a casual place to grab a quick bit, then stop by Mouthful Eatery. Mouthful Eatery offers Peruvian-inspired sandwiches and salads in a casual setting. You can even eat outside at one of their sidewalk tables!
2626 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362, 805-288-6055
Rustico is easily one of the best restaurants in Thousand Oaks, CA. This family-owned joint serves up authentic Italian food every day of the week. Rustico fills up fast, so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time.
1125 Lindero Canyon Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362, 818-889-0191
Things to Do in Thousand Oaks
Unsure of what to do in Thousand Oaks? Here are just a few of our top recommendations.
Top Thousand Oaks Attractions
- The Mighty Axe: Try your hand at axe throwing at this fun sports bar!
- Immotion VR: Immotion VR is one of the most fun things to do in Thousand Oaks for people of all ages. Put on your headset and travel to another world!
- Alma Sol Winery: It’s not a California city without a winery! Stop by Alma Sol Winery to try some of their delicious blends.
- Conejo Valley Botanic Garden: This beautiful garden contains 33 acres of natural terrain made up of specialty gardens, hiking trails, and wildlife.
Thousand Oaks Museums, Entertainment, & Arts
- Civic Arts Plaza Theaters: Grab the kids and stop by this beautiful performing arts theater for shows nearly every night of the week.
- Chumash Indian Museum: This 432-acre park contains a museum that tells the story of the Chumash people.
- Stagecoach Inn Museum: This museum is one of the most unique things to do in Thousand Oaks, CA. The museum is a reconstructed 1976 hotel that now houses antiques and memorabilia from the area.
Thousand Oaks Parks & Outdoors
- Gardens of the World: Take a stroll and admire the many different garden styles from places such as France, Japan, and Italy.
- Paradise Falls: If you love to hike, then complete the trek to the beautiful Paradise Falls, a 40-foot waterfall nestled in a canyon.
- Wildwood Regional Park: This wooded area is complete with a nature center, hiking trails, picnic tables, and playgrounds.
Shopping in Thousand Oaks
- The Oaks: The Oaks is an indoor-outdoor mall with dozens of stores and restaurants to choose from.
- Janss Marketplace: This open-air mall is wonderful to visit any time of the year and includes a movie theater, splash pad, and trampoline park!
Map of Thousand Oaks Things to Do
Sports in Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks does not have any professional sports teams, but you can cheer for many of Los Angeles’ professional teams, such as the Los Angeles Rams, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
If you want to support local, you can check out the Los Angeles Lightning, which is a local basketball team based at Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center at California Lutheran University.
Thousand Oaks Crime Rate
Before moving to Thousand Oaks, you may want to know more about the crime rate. Here’s how the Thousand Oaks crime rate breaks down:
- Overall crime rate: 1,097 crimes per 100,000 people (57.5% lower than the state average and 53.2% lower than the national average)
- Violent crime rate: 60 crimes per 100,000 people (86.4% lower than the state average and 84.5% lower than the national average)
- Property crime rate: 1,037 crimes per 100,000 people (51.5% lower than the state average and 47.0% lower than the national average)
As you can see, Thousand Oaks is a very safe place to live, especially compared to other major California cities:
- Los Angeles crime rate: 2,870 crimes per 100,000 people
- San Diego crime rate: 2,061 crimes per 100,000 people
- Anaheim crime rate: 2,872 crimes per 100,000 people
When living in Thousand Oaks, you will be served by the Thousand Oaks Police Department.
Jobs in Thousand Oaks
Are you on the hunt for Thousand Oaks jobs? For many years, agriculture was the dominant industry in the city. In the 1960s, many high-tech companies moved to the area, creating an economic boom. Many high-profile companies have their headquarters in Thousand Oaks, including Amgen, Teledyne Technologies, SAGE Publishing, and Skyworks Solutions.
A few of the top employers in Thousand Oaks include Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center, Conejo Valley Unified School District, and the City of Thousand Oaks.
According to PayScale, the average salary in Thousand Oaks, CA is $92,000 per year. If you are searching for a job in the area, then try searching for ‘jobs in Thousand Oaks’ on Indeed, or take a look at the city’s job board.
Thousand Oaks Schools
Students living in Thousand Oaks are served by the Conejo Valley Unified School District. This Thousand Oaks school district serves over 17,000 students across 30 different schools. Several of the schools in Thousand Oaks score in the top ten percent of schools in California.
If you are searching for private schools in Thousand Oaks, you’ll be happy to know that there are many options. La Reina High School and Ascension Lutheran School are two of the most popular options.
California Lutheran University is also located in Thousand Oaks, serving just over 2,500 undergraduate students. According to US News, CLU ranks as the #6 best regional university in the western United States.
The Thousand Oaks Library system is one of the best public libraries in California. The Newbury Park Branch of the library is 62,000 square feet and contains quiet study rooms, a technology training room, and a salt-water aquarium.
Moving to Thousand Oaks is a great decision based on its low crime rate, gorgeous real estate, and many wonderful job and education opportunities. If you are ready to make the move, then let our Thousand Oaks moving company help you! Our award-winning team is ready to make your moving experience as easy and stress-free as possible. Give us a call today at 866-684-7336 to discuss your move and receive a free quote!
