| | Santa Monica, CA | Chicago, IL | United States |
| Overall | 161.7 | 105.7 | 100 |
| Food & Groceries | 111.4 | 97.2 | 100 |
| Health | 90.2 | 88.0 | 100 |
| Housing | 622.0 | 99.8 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $1,656,900 | $284,100 | $338,100 |
| Utilities | 8,080.0% | 9,280.0% | 10,000.0% |
| Transportation | 154.8 | 138.5 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 133.5 | 139.8 | 100 |
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
View More Data >
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
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
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
Start Your Review of Santa Monica
I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major More
Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the More
I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices. More
Start Your Review of Chicago
Most Recent Searches On Compare Cities
| Compare City | Compared To This City | |
| Jacksonville, Florida | Prescott, Arizona | Compare |
| New Orleans, Louisiana | Shreveport, Louisiana | Compare |
| Waterloo, Iowa | Mansfield, Ohio | Compare |
| Largo, Florida | Clearwater, Florida | Compare |
| Irving, Texas | Columbus, Georgia | Compare |
| Irmo, South Carolina | Santa Clara, California | Compare |
| Irving, Texas | Columbus, Georgia | Compare |
| Irmo, South Carolina | Santa Clara, California | Compare |
| Chesterfield, Missouri | Medford, Massachusetts | Compare |
| Orlando, Florida | Jericho, New York | Compare |
| Shreveport, Louisiana | Anaheim, California | Compare |
| Shreveport, Louisiana | Anaheim, California | Compare |
| Issaquah, Washington | Lincoln, Illinois | Compare |
| Irmo, South Carolina | Santa Clara, California | Compare |
| Nichols, New York | Las Vegas, Nevada | Compare |
| Issaquah, Washington | Lincoln, Illinois | Compare |
| Aguila, Arizona | Wittmann, Arizona | Compare |
| Irmo, South Carolina | Santa Clara, California | Compare |
| Shreveport, Louisiana | Anaheim, California | Compare |
| Irmo, South Carolina | Santa Clara, California | Compare |