2026 Compare Cities Education:
Destin, FL vs Santa Monica, CA

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Highlights
- Santa Monica spends 76.5% more per student than Destin.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 26.3% higher in Santa Monica than in Destin. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Santa Monica had 0.4% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Destin
 Destin, FLSanta Monica, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$17,429$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$9,180  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$8,492$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio17.31  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock65654573
 Students per Counselor409  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock3.1%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.2.1%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock94.3%88.9%
 Some College Educ.22.8%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock6.1%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.43.2%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock17.6%9.3%
 Professional Degree1.2%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock4.1%1.5%
Reviews for Destin    14 Reviews

I find it amazing the place is rated one star - Yes the cost of housing is high especially as covid pushed more people to Florida. But living here is easy - three  More

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This tiny town is SO expensive. Unless you want a roach and mold infested place you will have to pay around $1800 or more and the “nice” places have reviews that scare  More

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I moved to Destin in 1987 when there was no development in the eastern part of town, only trees, beaches and a two lane road. I worked as a Sheriff's Deputy for over 30  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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