2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Auburn, CA vs Santa Monica, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Monica or is it cheaper to live in Auburn?
- Santa Monica is 16.1% more expensive than Auburn.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Monica or Auburn?
- Santa Monica housing costs are 204.6% more expensive than Auburn housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Auburn or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Monica.
- Health related expenses are 12.1% less in Santa Monica.
 Auburn, CASanta Monica, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock161.7100
 Food & Groceries106.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock90.2100
 Housing204.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,656,900$338,100
 Utilities108  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock154.8100
 Miscellaneous157.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Auburn    13 Reviews

Over 7 years ago

Overall Auburn has a good quality of life and this town still has that small town charm. Auburn is a good place to raise a family and the schools are decent. Auburn  More

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Over 8 years ago

There isnt anything for kids/ teens to do around here except go to a park thats typically filled with a bunch of druggys so i give this town a terrible rating.. sorry  More

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Over 15 years ago

Auburn is Beautiful city to live  More

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Reviews for Santa Monica    24 Reviews

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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