2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Monica, CA vs Mill Valley, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Mill Valley or is it cheaper to live in Santa Monica?
- Mill Valley is 42.3% more expensive than Santa Monica.

Which city has more affordable housing, Mill Valley or Santa Monica?
- Mill Valley housing costs are 0.7% more expensive than Santa Monica housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Monica or is Health Care more affordable in Mill Valley.
- Health related expenses are 22.1% more in Mill Valley.
 Santa Monica, CAMill Valley, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock230.1100
 Food & Groceries111.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.1100
 Housing622.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,814,300$338,100
 Utilities81  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock122.4100
 Miscellaneous133.5  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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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Reviews for Mill Valley    7 Reviews

I lived in southern Marin County for 20 years and lived it. Just moved  More

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Over 15 years ago

Mill Valley is a perfect place to live and raise a family, if you don't mind a cost of living index of 233. Don't distress - go mountain biking or hiking with  More

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Over 16 years ago

Good weather all year around. Great public schools. Cost of living very high. Crime low wonderful outdoor activities nearby like hiking, beaches,  More

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