2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Marcos, CA vs Thousand Oaks, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Thousand Oaks or is it cheaper to live in San Marcos?
- Thousand Oaks is 0.6% less expensive than San Marcos.

Which city has more affordable housing, Thousand Oaks or San Marcos?
- Thousand Oaks housing costs are 14.5% more expensive than San Marcos housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Marcos or is Health Care more affordable in Thousand Oaks.
- Health related expenses are 19.9% more in Thousand Oaks.
 San Marcos, CAThousand Oaks, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.0100
 Food & Groceries109.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock106.7100
 Housing260.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$914,800$338,100
 Utilities104  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock115.2100
 Miscellaneous153.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for San Marcos    5 Reviews

Just an amazing place to live. I have lived in 7 states and almost countless cities. Sam Marcos is one of the best. This is literally the longest place I have lived  More

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Over 15 years ago

Is this area to expensive for the average income retired  More

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Over 18 years ago

Beautiful Mediterranean climate with bright sunshine and ocean breazes. City is just 15 minutes away from the  More

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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

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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

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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

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