Median rent is 24% lower in New York ($1,779/mo vs $2,338/mo). Buying is cheaper in New York, where the median home runs $751,700 versus $1,810,200. Households earn more in Santa Monica ($109,739 vs $79,713 a year).
City A
New York, NY
City B
Santa Monica, CA
How much would you need to earn in Santa Monica, CA to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
New York
New York
Santa Monica
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in New York — median rent of $1,779/mo versus $2,338/mo in Santa Monica, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Santa Monica: the median home is $1,810,200 versus $751,700 in New York — 58% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
New York's top income tax rate is 10.90% versus 13.30% in California, so New York is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in New York and 7.25% in California; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Santa Monica
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 61.0) but not yet for Santa Monica.
Pick Santa Monica if you prioritize higher median household income ($109,739/yr).
Pick New York if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,779/mo median).
Pick New York if you prioritize lower state income tax (10.90%).
Is New York cheaper than Santa Monica?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in New York vs Santa Monica?
Median rent is $1,779/mo in New York, NY and $2,338/mo in Santa Monica, CA. New York, NY has the lower rent by about 24%.
Which has higher salaries — New York or Santa Monica?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York, NY and $109,739 in Santa Monica, CA. Santa Monica, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — New York or Santa Monica?
New York's top income tax rate is 10.90% and California's is 13.30%. New York, NY has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Santa Monica to match my New York income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology