2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Morro Bay, CA vs Santa Monica, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Monica or is it cheaper to live in Morro Bay?
- Santa Monica is 10.7% more expensive than Morro Bay.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Monica or Morro Bay?
- Santa Monica housing costs are 123.9% more expensive than Morro Bay housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Morro Bay or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Monica.
- Health related expenses are 17.2% less in Santa Monica.
 Morro Bay, CASanta Monica, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock161.7100
 Food & Groceries108.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock90.2100
 Housing277.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,656,900$338,100
 Utilities86  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock154.8100
 Miscellaneous144.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Morro Bay    2 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

Morro Bay is mostly a small,quiet,working fishing and retirement community.It is located approximately 12 miles north of San Luis Obispo,Ca.The weather here is mild most  More

   |    Reply

Beautiful area, right on the ocean, cool huge rock in the water. I love the small, walkable community and the farmers market is awesome. The temperature is always  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Morro Bay

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Monica


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.