Santa Monica, CA Cost of Living


24 Reviews



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Santa Monica cost of living score
161.7
More expensive
61.7% higher
than the US average
7.9% higher
than the California average
Santa Monica, California gets a BestPlaces Cost of Living score of 161.7, which means the total cost of housing, food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, taxes, and other necessities is 61.7% higher than the U.S. average and 7.9% lower than the average for California.

Santa Monica, CA

Housing costs in Santa Monica?
A typical home costs $1,656,900, which is 390.1% more expensive than the national average of $338,100 and 125.9% more expensive than the average California home, at $733,500. Renting a two-bedroom unit in Santa Monica costs $2,810 per month, which is 96.5% more than the national average of $1,430 and 23.5% more than the state average of $2,150.

Can I afford Santa Monica?
To live comfortably in Santa Monica, California, a minimum annual income of $317,520 for a family, and $88,400 for a single person is recommended.

What does A.I. say about Santa Monica?
Santa Monica offers a unique option for more costly living placed somewhere near California's Los Angeles County featuring median home values averaging above $1 million and rent typically lands close by between $2 - 3 thousand depending upon desired amenities - significantly pricier compared to other beach towns like Redondo Beach or Manhattan Beach which are positioned much further southward. Groceries moreover remain mostly on par with United States levels thanks largely to local taxes & regulations while sales tax sums out constant at 9%.
   Cost of living score
     CategoriesSanta MonicaCaliforniaUnited States
  161.7149.9100.0
  111.4105.1100
  90.298.3100.0
  622.0234.8100.0
  $1,656,900$733,500$338,100
  80.8%102.4%100.0%
  154.8133.1100.0
  133.5118.7100.0

   100=National Average

   Average Rent by Bedroom Size
Reviews for Santa Monica
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I moved here to Santa Monica over 10 years ago from Oklahoma City. I was surprised to see that Oklahoma City was ranked higher than Santa Monica on best places. I  More

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I've lived in Santa Monica for over 30 years. It's a Mediterranean climate--sunny and temperate when the rest of the country is under snow! I am walking distance to  More

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I have lived in this city for 4 decades, and it is never been worse than it is now. It is a dangerous disgusting hell hole. Between the crime, the homeless that are not  More

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