Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Santa Monica, CA
🏆 Carrollton leads 14 of 23 categories
Carrollton
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$95,380
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284 ✓ Larger
Santa Monica
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,797 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
205⚠ High
Population
92,168
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
Homes cost $1328k less ($327,300 vs $1,654,800)
82% less violent crime than Santa Monica
Rent averages $672/mo less ($1,555 vs $2,227)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Monica
Cons
Median income trails Santa Monica by $11,417/yr
Santa Monica, CA
Pros
More college-educated — 67.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 69°F vs 94°F
Households earn $11,417 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 56°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,654,800
Higher rents — median is $2,227/mo
Violent crime (778.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Carrollton
Violent Crime
82% lower
137.1 vs 778.0 per 100k
Carrollton
Median Home Value
$1328k less
$327,300 vs $1,654,800
Carrollton
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.2% unemployment
Carrollton
Summer Heat
24.9°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 69.4°F
Santa Monica
Median Income
$11,417
$106,797 vs $95,380/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,654,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,227⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 | $106,797 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter | 25.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% | 27.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 214⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 228⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | A- (114) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% | 67.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% | 94.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F | 62.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 69.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" | 12.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 ✓ Larger | 92,168 |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 42.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% ✓ Higher | 28.9% |
| Under 18 | 19.9% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 18.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Santa Monica's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Carrollton is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 14 of 23 categories. Carrollton wins 14 and Santa Monica wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carrollton to Santa Monica or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $1,654,800 median home), income ($95,380 vs $106,797), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Santa Monica, CA are about 1,244 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.