California · Metropolitan Area
Santa Monica is a mid-size city in California with a population of 91,535. Residents earn $109,739 per year, which is 46% above the national average.
Based on current data, Santa Monica receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Santa Monica has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
The median household income in Santa Monica is $109,739, which is significantly higher than the national average — 46% above $75,149. This places Santa Monica among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 6.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.
The median home value in Santa Monica is $1,810,200, making it a premium housing market at 542% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,338 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 16.5x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.
Violent crime in Santa Monica is below the national average at 363 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,248 per 100,000, 66% above the national average.
Santa Monica is a highly educated community — 68.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 94.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.
Santa Monica enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 325 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 33.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.
| English Only | 73.0% |
| 7% below US avg | |
| Spanish | 27.0% |
| 101% above US avg |
| Median HH Income | $109,739 |
| 46% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,607 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $97,528 |
| Unemployment | 4.1% |
| 14% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 6.4% |
| 48% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 572,385 |
| County GDP | $1,002,965M |
| Restaurants | 24,882 |
| Healthcare | 37,635 |
| Retail | 29,130 |
| Manufacturing | 10,448 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $10,469 |
| 199% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.58% |
| Commute Time | 25.8 min |
| Work from Home | 33.1% |
| Census Median | $1,810,200 |
| 542% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $1,684,070 |
| Median List Price | $1,950,000 |
| Median List Price | $1,950,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $1,193 |
| Homes Sold | 46 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 99.7% |
| Price Drops | 22.2% |
| Inventory | 203 |
| Census Median Rent | $2,338 |
| 101% above US avg | |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $3,500 |
| Studio | $1,513 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,647 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,053 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,752 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,165 |
| Owner-Occupied | 28.8% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $10,469 |
| 199% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 0.58% |
| Obesity | 22.7% |
| 29% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 7.7% |
| Heart Disease | 4.0% |
| High Blood Pressure | 25.2% |
| Asthma | 9.4% |
| COPD | 3.6% |
| Stroke | 2.3% |
| Binge Drinking | 18.3% |
| Physical Inactivity | 15.6% |
| Depression | 21.8% |
| Mental Distress | 15.3% |
| Physical Distress | 10.4% |
| Insurance Rate | 95.3% |
| Checkup Rate | 72.2% |
| Premature Death | 6,746/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.5/10 |
| Exercise Access | 98.0% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 37,635 |
| Total Violent | 362.9/100K |
| 5% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 32.2/100K |
| Robbery | 128.8/100K |
| Assault | 201.8/100K |
| Total Property | 3,248.5/100K |
| 66% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 574.3/100K |
| Theft | 2,484.1/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 190.0/100K |
| Arson | 20.4/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 817 |
| FEMA Disasters | 1,001 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 62.0°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 53°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 325 days/yr |
| Annual Rainfall | 33.4 inches |
| 12% below US avg | |
| Snowfall | 0.1 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) |
| Area | 8.4 sq mi (21.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 10,884/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.0109°N, 118.4982°W |
| County FIPS | 06037 |
Winner: Democrat by 32.9 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% |
| 104% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 94.8% |
| School Test Score | 4.69 |
| RUCC Code 1 | Metro — 1 million+ |
| Population Density | 10,884/sq mi |
| Total Area | 8.4 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 249 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 258 |
| Public Libraries | 258 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 37,635 |
| Restaurants | 24,882 |
| Retail Stores | 29,130 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 817 |
| FEMA Disaster Declarations | 1,001 |
| Avg Commute | 25.8 min |
| Work from Home | 33.1% |