2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA vs Thousand Oaks, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Thousand Oaks or is it cheaper to live in Rancho Santa Margarita?
- Thousand Oaks is 6.6% less expensive than Rancho Santa Margarita.

Which city has more affordable housing, Thousand Oaks or Rancho Santa Margarita?
- Thousand Oaks housing costs are 12.3% more expensive than Rancho Santa Margarita housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Rancho Santa Margarita or is Health Care more affordable in Thousand Oaks.
- Health related expenses are 14.2% more in Thousand Oaks.
 Rancho Santa Margarita, CAThousand Oaks, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.0100
 Food & Groceries103.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock106.7100
 Housing265.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$914,800$338,100
 Utilities111  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock115.2100
 Miscellaneous155.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Rancho Santa Margarita    13 Reviews

This page provides little information on RSM. I see they keep describing the area as "outside of Los Angeles." Culturally, it is so far from Los Angeles (I lived in LA,  More

   |    Reply

Over 10 years ago

The weather here is amazing. We get a few hot days in the summer but it cools down in the evening. I love being able to sleep with the windows  More

   |    Reply

This is the best place to live in South Orange County with mild temperatures, low crime, great schools and family orientated. RSM is a city that sits in a pocket backing  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Rancho Santa Margarita

Reviews for Thousand Oaks    32 Reviews

Over 13 years ago

All you have to do is to check out the climate of Thousand Oaks on this site or on City-Data to see that the climate here in Thousand Oaks is perfect, if you don't like  More

   |    Reply

I've lived here my entire life, which I suppose isn't that long only 17 years. Its been a nice place to grow up, lots of opportunities and places to go as a kid. Park  More

   |    Reply

I have lived here over 10 years. I'm not sure what some of the reviewers are talking about, as it pertains to "nothing to do for kids" here. We have a fantastic Parks  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Thousand Oaks


Learn More About Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Overview
Cost of Living
Job Market
Crime
Climate
Economy
Religion
Voting
Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.