Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
VS
Santa Monica, CA
🏆 Rancho Cucamonga leads 12 of 22 categories
Rancho Cucamonga
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$105,534
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
174,696 ✓ Larger
Santa Monica
California
10
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.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Pros
Homes cost $997k less ($657,400 vs $1,654,800)
62% less violent crime than Santa Monica
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (5.4%)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Monica
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 62°F
Cons
Longer commutes — 33.0 min average each way
Santa Monica, CA
Pros
More college-educated — 67.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 69°F vs 94°F
Smaller class sizes — 18.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,654,800
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)
Property crime (4790.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Rancho Cucamonga
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 107.9 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Rancho Cucamonga
Violent Crime
62% lower
293.7 vs 778.0 per 100k
Rancho Cucamonga
Median Home Value
$997k less
$657,400 vs $1,654,800
Rancho Cucamonga
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
5.4% vs 6.2% unemployment
Rancho Cucamonga
Summer Heat
24.4°F warmer
July avg high 93.8°F vs 69.4°F
Santa Monica
Median Income
$1,263
$106,797 vs $105,534/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $657,400⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,654,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,184⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,227⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,534 | $106,797 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.0 min⚠ High | 25.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.4% | 27.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 81 ✓ Safer | 214⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 77 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 86 ✓ Safer | 228⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 25.1:1 | 18.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% | 67.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 91.8% | 94.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Alta Loma Elementary | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer | 62.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 93.8°F ✓ Warmer | 69.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.2" | 12.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 174,696 ✓ Larger | 92,168 |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 42.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% ✓ Higher | 28.9% |
| Under 18 | 22.7% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 18.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Rancho Cucamonga's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Santa Monica's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Rancho Cucamonga is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Rancho Cucamonga leads 12 of 22 categories. Rancho Cucamonga wins 12 and Santa Monica wins 10. 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 Rancho Cucamonga to Santa Monica or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($657,400 vs $1,654,800 median home), income ($105,534 vs $106,797), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA and Santa Monica, CA are about 54 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.