Are you considering a move to Santa Monica, California, United States, and wondering about the cost of living? Santa Monica, California is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Santa Monica, California and help you understand whether $5064 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $7763.0.
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Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
25.0 $ |
|
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
100.0 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
9.0 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
8.0 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
10.0 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
5.28 $ |
|
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
2.96 $ |
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|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
2.24 $ |
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Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
1.28 $ |
|
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
4.92 $ |
|
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
4.41 $ |
|
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
4.5 $ |
|
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
18.36 $ |
|
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Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
16.33 $ |
|
|
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
16.15 $ |
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|
Apples (1 lb) |
5.42 $ |
|
|
Banana (1 lb) |
1.88 $ |
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|
Oranges (1 lb) |
3.41 $ |
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|
Tomato (1 lb) |
5.42 $ |
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|
Potato (1 lb) |
3.28 $ |
|
|
Onion (1 lb) |
2.4 $ |
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|
Lettuce (1 head) |
2.11 $ |
|
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Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
2.2 $ |
|
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
11.0 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
2.11 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
3.99 $ |
|
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
12.0 $ |
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Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
1.88 $ |
|
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
90.0 $ |
|
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
3.5 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
1.79 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
32.0 $ |
|
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
1.32 $ |
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
26000.0 $ |
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
25741.44 $ |
|
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
191.73 $ |
|
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
-- |
|
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
78.0 $ |
|
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
60.0 $ |
|
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
45.0 $ |
|
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
16.49 $ |
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Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
1723.75 $ |
|
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
26083.33 $ |
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Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
65.52 $ |
|
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
50.52 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
95.0 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
132.5 $ |
|
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
2900.0 $ |
|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
2600.0 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
5433.33 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
4366.67 $ |
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|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
15069.47 $ |
|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
8611.13 $ |
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Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
7763.0 $ |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
6.8 % |
|
The monthly expenses for living in Santa Monica, California come to a total of approximately $5064. This includes an average monthly rent of around $2900 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $230 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $1127 per month.
Living in Santa Monica, California appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $7763.0. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Santa Monica, California, you would likely need an income exceeding $7763.0.
In Santa Monica, California, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $7763.0, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.
The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Santa Monica, California is approximately $2900. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $2600.0 for such an apartment.
The expense for groceries in Santa Monica, California can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $860 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.
The cost of living in United States can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout United States.
There's a medium risk overall in Santa Monica, simply due to the lure of tourists, which can make easy targets for crooks. The crime numbers overall are lower than the California average.
The city of Santa Monica strongly encourages visitors to ditch the car and use other transportation options. Given the variety and oversight of the various modes of transportation, we're giving it a low risk. You can choose from electric scooters, rideshares, the Big Blue Bus catering just to the Santa Monica area, golf-cart rides through Circuit, and a Metro rail stop from Los Angeles.
A medium pickpocket risk exists in Santa Monta because people tend to come here with lots of money and are ready to spend it. Especially at the shopping Mecca on Third Street Promenade, it's important to keep an eye on your belongings.
The very day this article was written, Santa Monica was hit by a magnitude 2.8 earthquake. So there's a medium risk of some kind of seismic activity, but if you are a Southern California native reading this, you might laugh saying "That's just a way of life here." The San Andreas fault is the biggest earth-shaker, but there is a Santa Monica fault line as well. Wildfires can impact air quality here as well. The average thunderstorm or rainy day? Those are few and far between. On average you'll get mild weather, and the only downside is in June when there's a lot of smog and gloom over the picturesque community.
The medium risk from pickpocketing carries over into the mugging category. Santa Monica police encourage visitors to store their wallets inside a jacket or shirt and also keep purses under a firm grip close to the body.
The Los Angeles Metro area is known to be a potential target for terrorists, but there's no impending doom lurking over the city. Nevertheless, we'll give it a medium risk. Santa Monica Police encourage everyone to "See something, say something" when it comes to anything that seems odd.
Santa Monica Police say a con game can happen to anyone, anywhere, but elderly people are especially vulnerable. There's a medium risk this could happen in such a busy area. Police recommend never giving out personal information or taking out cash to help someone, no matter how honest they seem.
Women have a medium risk for all the reasons we've listed above. You can lower that risk by following basic common sense— be aware of your surroundings when walking through new areas, be confident in your attitude when walking, and stay near areas where there are businesses or other people. There are a lot of panhandlers in the Santa Monica area, and you can just ignore them and keep walking.
Santa Monica has a low risk in its tap water. The latest water report shows no violations and that the water meets or exceeds regulations. The city does advise people to use tap water sparingly to help with the drought.
You'll take care of the visa requirements at the airport of your choice. Getting into Santa Monica only requires the patience needed on Los Angeles freeways.
The currency is the U.S. Dollar. Just don't go waving it around. Keep your money close to your body and out of sight.
Santa Monica's weather is mild year-round. High temperatures can get into the 60s in the winter and up to the 90s in the summer. It's a casual community where shorts and a top or a sundress work just fine. Pack a jacket for those beach breezes that can chill the night air. Winter lows can get into the 50s.
You can choose from several commercial airports in the Los Angeles metro area, but Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is closest to Santa Monica at just 12 miles away. LAX also has bus service and shuttles right to Santa Monica. Hollywood Burnak Aiport is 23 miles away. The Long Beach Airport is 30 miles south. John Wayne Airport is 52 miles away in Orange County. Always leave extra time for airport trips due to the infamous Los Angeles traffic jams.
Getting to Santa Monica isn't always a day at the beach, so it's good to get travel insurance to make sure you don't lose money on your getaway. While there are a lot of travel options in the Los Angeles area, delays can arise as a ripple effect from weather and staffing impacts nationwide. Ensure the trip and you'll be at the beach before you know it!
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 66°F | 66°F | 66°F | 68°F | 69°F | 72°F | 75°F | 76°F | 76°F | 73°F | 69°F | 66°F |
| Temp | 57°F | 58°F | 59°F | 61°F | 63°F | 66°F | 69°F | 69°F | 69°F | 66°F | 61°F | 57°F |
| Low | 50°F | 51°F | 53°F | 55°F | 58°F | 61°F | 64°F | 64°F | 63°F | 59°F | 54°F | 50°F |
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 18°C | 18°C | 18°C | 20°C | 20°C | 22°C | 23°C | 24°C | 24°C | 22°C | 20°C | 18°C |
| Temp | 13°C | 14°C | 15°C | 16°C | 17°C | 18°C | 20°C | 20°C | 20°C | 18°C | 16°C | 13°C |
| Low | 10°C | 10°C | 11°C | 12°C | 14°C | 16°C | 17°C | 17°C | 17°C | 15°C | 12°C | 10°C |