2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Thousand Oaks, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Thousand Oaks older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Thousand Oaks is 15.4 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Thousand Oaks or Santa Cruz?
- Thousand Oaks housing costs are 28.0% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Thousand Oaks or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Thousand Oaks is 2.7 minutes longer than it is for residents of Santa Cruz.

Things to do in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz, California is an incredible city located in the heart of the Monterey Bay area. This beautiful city offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the stunning natural beaches or the charming downtown area. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Beach, Wilder Ranch State Park, and Seymour Marine Discovery Center. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Santa Cruz their home.

Things to do in Thousand Oaks?
Thousand Oaks, California is a picturesque city located in Ventura County. With its lush parks and trails, great shopping and dining options, and plenty of local attractions, Thousand Oaks has something for everyone. Nature lovers will love the plentiful outdoor activities available here while business owners can take advantage of the area's many resources. Education is also top-notch in Thousand Oaks with numerous schools, universities, and medical centers nearby. Whether you’re looking for a new home or simply wanting to get away from it all, Thousand Oaks is sure to provide the perfect experience!

 Santa Cruz, CAThousand Oaks, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock127,274329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock44.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.9%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.45  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Santa Cruz    44 Reviews

I lived in the Santa Cruz area for 20 years. UCSC alum. Our kids were born there. There are wonderful things about Santa Cruz, but also many serious problems that we  More

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Over 5 years ago

I have been here for four generations! My kids are the fifth. I guess that should tell you how wonderful it is here, at least for us. It's so cool to have world class  More

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I was born over the hill in San Jose area, and as a kid I loved coming over to the boardwalk. Santa Cruz has always been and always will be a town of diversity,  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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