City Report · CA

Thousand Oaks

Pop. 125,205·108th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,274/mo
Year-over-Year
-2.6%
Month-over-Month
-2.6%
vs US Median
+$1,309
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Thousand Oaks · $3,274
More expensive than 94% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
63/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Thousand Oaks's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$3,274/mo
Expected by trend
$3,510/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Thousand Oaks's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,223
1 BR
$2,553
2 BR
$3,057
3 BR
$4,163
4 BR+
$4,843
Research median
$3,057/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$39,288/yr
At $3,274/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 2.6% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-2.6% YoY, -2.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Thousand Oaks, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 51.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
125,205
Median income
$135,603
Median age
44.9
Renters
29.2%
Age distribution
19.5%
19.5%
24.7%
15.6%
20.7%
Under 1819.5%
18–3419.5%
35–5424.7%
55–6415.6%
65+20.7%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
65.6%
20.6%
White65.6%
Black1.8%
Hispanic20.6%
Asian8.8%
Other3.1%
Education (25+)
14.7%
28.5%
51.4%
No HS diploma5.4%
HS diploma14.7%
Some college28.5%
Bachelor's+51.4%
Housing tenure
70.8%
29.2%
Owner70.8%
Renter29.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Thousand Oaks, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,756 → $3,274
up 18.8%
Income
$113,942 → $135,603
up 19.0%
Population
127,274 → 125,205
down 1.6%
Renter share
30.8% → 29.2%
-1.6 pts
Bachelor's+
49.2% → 51.4%
+2.2 pts
Median age
44.4 → 44.9
+0.5 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Thousand Oaks, CA paid around $2,756 a month. That figure now sits near $3,274, up 18.8% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $135,603 today, compared with $113,942 five years earlier. Census counts show Thousand Oaks, CA losing about 2,069 residents over the five-year window, down 1.6% on net. The renter share has eased from 30.8% to 29.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 49.2% to 51.4% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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View Thousand Oaks rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Thousand Oaks on your salary?

At $3,274/mo, how Thousand Oaks rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Thousand Oaks rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Thousand Oaks. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Thousand Oaks

About renting in Thousand Oaks, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Thousand Oaks is $3,274/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,223/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,057/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,553/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,163/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($135,603/yr), Thousand Oaks ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Thousand Oaks an affordable city for renters?

Thousand Oaks is considered affordable for renters. At $3,274/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($135,603/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Thousand Oaks falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Thousand Oaks?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $131,000/year (~$63/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,274/mo in Thousand Oaks. The local median household income is $135,603/yr, meaning the typical Thousand Oaks household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Thousand Oaks?

Rent in Thousand Oaks has decreased 2.6% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Thousand Oaks neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Thousand Oaks are 91360 ($3,005/mo), 91320 ($3,488/mo), and 91362 ($3,545/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Thousand Oaks is $3,274/mo.

How does Thousand Oaks rent compare to other cities in California?

Thousand Oaks is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #108 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,274/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Thousand Oaks?

Moorpark is nearby and more affordable at $3,200/mo, which is $74 less than Thousand Oaks.

What percentage of Thousand Oaks residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.2% of Thousand Oaks households are renters, while 70.8% are owner-occupied. Thousand Oaks leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Thousand Oaks rent compare to the national average?

Thousand Oaks's median rent of $3,274/mo is $1,309 (67%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #108 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $3,274/mo, rent takes ~29% of Thousand Oaks's median household income ($135,603/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Thousand Oaks 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Thousand Oaks affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Thousand Oaks
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Thousand Oaks, CA

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