2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Monica, CA vs Lafayette, LA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lafayette or is it cheaper to live in Santa Monica?
- Lafayette is 44.2% less expensive than Santa Monica.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lafayette or Santa Monica?
- Lafayette housing costs are 90.0% less expensive than Santa Monica housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Monica or is Health Care more affordable in Lafayette.
- Health related expenses are 27.2% more in Lafayette.
 Santa Monica, CALafayette, LAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock90.2100
 Food & Groceries111.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock114.7100
 Housing622.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$211,700$338,100
 Utilities81  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock101.5100
 Miscellaneous133.5  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 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

Reviews for Lafayette    37 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

I should add this to my previous review. Lafayette was ranked "Happiest City in the US" by USA Today magazine and "Tastiest Town" by Southern  More

   |    Reply

I’m from Florida but I’ve lived in the Lafayette area for thirty-five years. I’ve never known nicer people. It’s true that non-Cajuns can never integrate entirely with  More

   |    Reply

What are the hottest neighborhoods to buy/live in right now? I'm from out of  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lafayette


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.