salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 14.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (72%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 70.7% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $131,800 a year. That is $63 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 551 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Santa Monica?
Share of households by yearly income. 46.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Santa Monica
| Size | Santa Monica | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,781 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,462 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,005 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,061 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Santa Monica overall?
Everyday prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area are 14% above the U.S. average (index 113.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Santa Monica
Life in Santa Monica
What jobs pay in Santa Monica
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $194,410 | 20.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $161,890 | 24.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $161,470 | 24.5% |
| Software Developer | $160,920 | 24.6% |
| Pharmacist | $157,440 | 25.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $135,560 | 29.2% |
| Operations Manager | $125,830 | 31.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $122,980 | 32.2% |
| Police Officer | $121,980 | 32.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $121,560 | 32.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $108,640 | 36.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | 38.8% |
| Firefighter | $98,050 | 40.3% |
| Accountant | $94,360 | 41.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $82,990 | 47.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,310 | 49.9% |
| Carpenter | $75,740 | 52.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $73,830 | 53.6% |
| Electrician | $73,810 | 53.6% |
| Plumber | $71,110 | 55.6% |
| Truck Driver | $60,340 | 65.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,840 | 81.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,760 | 82.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,380 | 83.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,460 | 88.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,390 | 93.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,700 | 104.9% |
| Cashier | $36,980 | 106.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,850 | 110.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Santa Monica?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $8,886 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,755,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $175,550 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Santa Monica, CA?
Renting in Santa Monica costs a median of about $3,295 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Santa Monica?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $131,800 a year, or $63 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Monica cheap or expensive?
Santa Monica is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.9% of the typical household income of $123,903. It ranks 551st cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Santa Monica?
The median homeowner in Santa Monica pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.57% of the median home value.
Is Santa Monica more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Santa Monica?
The median home value in Santa Monica is $1,755,500, about 14.2 times the typical yearly household income.
91,169 people live in Santa Monica. Numbers are typical (middle) values.