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Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica · Los Angeles County · CA 90401
Updated June 22, 2026 · Would You Live There?
Hard pass
Verdict
$1.7M
Median Price
81/100
Walk Score
5/10
Schools
22 min
to Downtown Los Angeles
Score Breakdown
FAffordability
15/100
D+Safety
55/100
D+Schools
50/100
DQuietness
40/100
B+Commute
85/100
B+Walkability
81/100
WYLT Score54/100
Our Take
Santa Monica is a pricey, busy beach town that offers great walkability, a thriving food scene, and excellent schools, but the high cost of living and limited housing supply make it difficult for most people to afford a comfortable lifestyle here.
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The Good
- ✓Top‑rated public schools (5/5)
- ✓Vibrant dining and nightlife
- ✓Excellent walkability and bike lanes
- ✓Good public transit to downtown LA
Real Talk
- !Cost of living is sky‑high – homes over $1.7M and rents close to $2,400/month
- !Limited parking and frequent traffic congestion
- !Noise and crowds are constant, especially near the beach
- !Housing inventory is very tight; buyers often face bidding wars
- $High property taxes and HOA fees
- $Elevated utility and internet costs
- $Expensive home insurance for coastal properties
- $Parking fees and short‑term rental restrictions
Best For
High‑income professionalsStudents with strong budgetsRetirees looking for beach lifestyleCreative professionals who value nightlife
Risk Snapshot
Flood riskLow
Violent crimeModerate
Property crimeModerate
Air qualityModerate
Price volatilityModerate
Crime & Safety
Santa Monica, CA
D+
Safety grade
Safety score55 / 100
High riskVery safe
⚠️Violent Crime
Moderate3.9incidents / 1,000 residents / yr
0Natl avg (3.7)11+
5% higher than the national average
🔒Property Crime
Moderate19.8incidents / 1,000 residents / yr
0Natl avg (19.5)59+
2% higher than the national average
Verify with real-time data
City-Data stats →From Residents
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