2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Monica, CA vs Reno, NV

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Reno or is it cheaper to live in Santa Monica?
- Reno is 26.7% less expensive than Santa Monica.

Which city has more affordable housing, Reno or Santa Monica?
- Reno housing costs are 71.9% less expensive than Santa Monica housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Monica or is Health Care more affordable in Reno.
- Health related expenses are 6.1% more in Reno.
 Santa Monica, CAReno, NVUnited States
 Overall  Unlock118.6100
 Food & Groceries111.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock95.7100
 Housing622.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$494,500$338,100
 Utilities81  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock94.2100
 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 Reno    91 Reviews

K · Reno, NV

Pros: Absolutely beautiful. Lots to do outdoors. Lots of community events, live music, performing arts entertainment, street festivals, etc. Many areas are very  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Yeah I moved here from the Midwest and wouldn’t ever go back. The weather, outdoor activities, closeness to national parks and the coast of California and Oregon are  More

   |    Reply

I was born and raised in San Jose, CA. Not when it was "silicon valley". I had to basically flee after my son was born, 20 years ago because I was drowning financially.  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Reno


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.