Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Santa Monica, CA
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 Santa Monica leads 12 of 23 categories
Santa Monica
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,797
Violent Crime Index
205⚠ High
Population
92,168
Seattle
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Santa Monica, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 47°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 69°F vs 77°F
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)
Higher rents — median is $2,227/mo
Seattle, WA
Pros
Homes cost $775k less ($879,900 vs $1,654,800)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (4.2%)
Rent averages $282/mo less ($1,945 vs $2,227)
Households earn $9,271 more per year on average
Smaller class sizes — 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Monica
Cons
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (5007.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Seattle
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 113.0 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Seattle
Median Income
$9,271
$116,068 vs $106,797/yr
Seattle
Median Home Value
$775k less
$879,900 vs $1,654,800
Seattle
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
4.2% vs 6.2% unemployment
Seattle
Summer Heat
7.1°F warmer
July avg high 76.5°F vs 69.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Santa Monica, CA | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 113.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $1,654,800⚠ High | $879,900⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,227⚠ High | $1,945⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,797 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.3 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 27.8% ✓ Higher | 27.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 214⚠ High ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 205⚠ High | 204⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 228⚠ High ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (114) ✓ Better | A- (112) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.6:1 | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 67.8% ✓ Higher | 66.7% |
| High School or Higher | 94.7% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.0°F ✓ Warmer | 47.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 69.4°F | 76.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.2" ✓ Drier | 38.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 92,168 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 42.1 ✓ Older | 35.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.9% | 44.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 15.0% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 18.8% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Santa Monica's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Seattle is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Santa Monica leads 12 of 23 categories. Santa Monica wins 12 and Seattle wins 11. 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 Santa Monica to Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($1,654,800 vs $879,900 median home), income ($106,797 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Santa Monica, CA and Seattle, WA are about 961 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.