Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Santa Monica
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Santa Monica
Rent control: Santa Monicahas its own local rent-stabilization ordinance with protections beyond California's statewide cap (AB 1482). Check Santa Monica's rent board for the rules that apply to a specific building before signing.
General information, not legal advice.
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Santa Monica is a beachside city in Los Angeles County, situated along Santa Monica Bay. With a population of about 93,000, it is known as a resort destination and has diversified into a major corporate hub, hosting headquarters for Hulu, Snap Inc., Activision Blizzard, Universal Music Group, and other entertainment and tech firms.
The city offers a blend of beach culture, walkable neighborhoods, and urban amenities. Most daily errands can be completed on foot, and you will find restaurants, coffee shops, and parks within a short walk in most areas. However, Santa Monica has no nearby rail transit, so a car is strongly recommended for longer trips or commuting outside the city.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Santa Monica revolves around its walkable neighborhoods and proximity to the beach. Within a typical walking radius, you can access about 12 restaurants, 4 coffee shops, 2 gyms, and parks. Grocery shopping options include chains like Ralphs and Pavilions, and specialty markets like Co-opportunity Market. Many residents run errands on foot, but the city ranks in the top half for traffic exposure, so commutes during peak hours can be slow.
The weather is mild year-round, which makes outdoor activities and beach trips routine. Tree cover is limited at 7.4 percent, so the landscape is predominantly urban and concrete. Air quality is moderate, with diesel PM exposure typical for California. If you work outside Santa Monica or rely on public transit, plan to commute by car.
Who it's for
Santa Monica suits renters who want a walkable beach city with abundant dining and entertainment, and who can navigate without public transit. It is best for those working locally or with flexible schedules, car owners, and people prioritizing restaurants and street-level amenities over green space or a quiet setting. If you need easy rail access or prefer tree-lined streets, you may find better value elsewhere in the region.
Environment & livability
Air quality: moderate diesel PM exposure for California.
Above the state median, linked to mild long-term respiratory risk in some studies. Worth considering for sensitive households.
Traffic exposure: above-average traffic corridor exposure.
Higher traffic proximity correlates with elevated noise, diesel emissions, and reduced pedestrian comfort on nearby streets.
Tree cover: very limited tree cover, predominantly concrete.
Low canopy areas tend to run hotter and feel more exposed. Research links tree cover to lower ambient temperatures and improved pedestrian comfort.
Walkability: most daily errands can be done on foot.
High intersection density and destination access. The kind of area where a car is optional for daily life.
Transit: minimal transit access, car strongly recommended.
Very infrequent or no meaningful transit nearby. Car dependency is high in this area.
Environmental data from CalEnviroScreen 4.0 and the EPA Smart Location Database. Informational only, not professional advice for a housing decision.
Who lives in Santa Monica
Population
90,488
Renters
68%
of households rent
Median age
43
Median income
$127k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Around Santa Monica
Ralphs · Vons · Pavilions · Co-opportunity Market
Dogtown Coffee · Cafe Lovi · Bagel Nosh · Cafe Ruisseau
Burger Lounge · Flapjax Diner · Cabo Cantina · Sushi King
Ocean View Park · Schader Park · Ashland Park · Goose Egg Park
Formation Energetix · Sweat 60 · 24 Hour Fitness · Nike Running Studio
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Finding a place in Santa Monica
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Santa Monica?+
Yes. While most daily errands can be done on foot, Santa Monica has no rail transit nearby. A car is strongly recommended if you commute outside the city or want flexibility for longer trips.
What is rent in Santa Monica?+
Current residents pay a median of about $2,306 per month, but that figure includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants. Active listings show a median asking price of $3,400, which is a better guide for new leases. Prices range from $1,500 to well above $4,000 depending on apartment size and location.
How walkable is Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica ranks 36th of 319 areas in the region for walkability, well above average. You can handle most errands on foot, and restaurants, coffee, and gyms are within a short walk. However, it is denser and more urban than many neighboring areas, with limited tree cover.
What is the neighborhood like for dining and entertainment?+
Santa Monica ranks 23rd of 371 areas for amenities and has abundant restaurants, cafes, and venues. You will find everything from casual spots like Burger Lounge and Flapjax Diner to sushi, Mexican, and specialty coffee options. Nightlife and beach activities are major parts of the local scene.
Is Santa Monica walkable?+
Santa Monica ranks #18 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, most daily errands can be done on foot.
What is the average rent in Santa Monica?+
Current residents of Santa Monica pay a median rent of about $2,306 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher. Among 148 current listings on Saktoo, the median asking rent is $3,400.
How is the air quality in Santa Monica?+
Santa Monica has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 64 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Santa Monica?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Santa Monica are West Hollywood, Sawtelle, Venice and University Park.
How many apartments are available in Santa Monica?+
Saktoo currently tracks 148 active listings in Santa Monica, starting at $1,500 per month.