Santa Monica travel budget

Santa Monica: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Santa Monica

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Santa Monica for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 115 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 22 per person
  • $ 8.5 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 2435*

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 222 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 60 per person
  • $ 17 per person
  • $ 18 per person

Total budget:

$ 5710*

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 331 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 110 per person
  • $ 31 per person
  • $ 36 per person

Total budget:

$ 9560*

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).



Cost of living in Santa Monica compared to United States in 2024

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Santa Monica in 2024 is 31% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Santa Monica in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):




Local prices in Santa Monica by expense type

Restaurant budget in Santa Monica

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Santa Monica is 21% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 26/person
($ 16 to $ 42)

27% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 62/person
($ 32 to $ 66)

60% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 13/person
($ 11 to $ 16)

11% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 8 for 500ml
($ 4 to $ 12)

35% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 4 for 330ml
($ 1.6 to $ 7)

14% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 5.5/cup
($ 4 to $ 8)

6% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 2.9/can
($ 2 to $ 3)

16% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 2/bottle
($ 2 to $ 2)

1% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Santa Monica

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Santa Monica is 27% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 186/night
($ 66 to $ 566)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 181
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 163/night
($ 67 to $ 467)

0% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 281/night
($ 103 to $ 913)

18% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 239
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 382/night
($ 169 to $ 1074)

19% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 322
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 905/night
($ 411 to $ 1774)

87% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 486
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 204/month
($ 71 to $ 627)

19% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 172
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 322/month
($ 72 to $ 1540)

28% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 253
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 288/month
($ 89 to $ 920)

32% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 219
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 273/month
($ 122 to $ 693)

17% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 234
Family room
Family room
$ 256/month
($ 92 to $ 847)

17% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220

Supermarket food budget in Santa Monica

On average, the price of supermarket food in Santa Monica is 14% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 1.2/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 1.6)

18% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Bread
Bread
$ 4.5/500g
($ 2.2 to $ 5.6)

25% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Rice
Rice
$ 5.2/kg
($ 1.8 to $ 6.7)

14% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6
Eggs
Eggs
$ 4.9/12 eggs
($ 2.6 to $ 7.9)

33% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7
Chicken
Chicken
$ 15/kg
($ 4.5 to $ 18)

18% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Apples
Apples
$ 5.6/kg
($ 2.8 to $ 6.7)

6% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 5.1/kg
($ 1.7 to $ 8.9)

6% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 3/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 6.7)

2% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 2.2
($ 1.3 to $ 2.2)

2% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Santa Monica

On average, the price of transport in Santa Monica is 6% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 2.1/ticket
($ 1.8 to $ 2.6)

14% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 1.7/km
($ 1.7 to $ 3.8)

0% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.3/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 1.6)

38% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 3.1
($ 3.1 to $ 11)

11% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Car hire
Car hire
$ 84/24hrs
($ 40 to $ 268)

20% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 71

Leisure activity budget in Santa Monica

On average, budget for leisure activities in Santa Monica is 118% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 18/ticket
($ 12 to $ 22)

27% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Tennis
Tennis
$ 66/hr
( $ 66)

209% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Santa Monica

On average, shopping budget in Santa Monica is essentially the same as in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 12/pack
($ 11 to $ 19)

12% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 61
($ 32 to $ 98)

14% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 53
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 34
($ 26 to $ 66)

24% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → New York City
Sydney → New York City
Sydney → New York City
$ 1338
(fair price: $ 1173)
Melbourne → New York City
Melbourne → New York City
Melbourne → New York City
$ 1674
(fair price: $ 1393)
Toronto → New York City
Toronto → New York City
Toronto → New York City
$ 274
(fair price: $ 238)
Montreal → New York City
Montreal → New York City
Montreal → New York City
$ 312
(fair price: $ 276)
New York City → Miami (Florida)
New York City → Miami (Florida)
New York City → Miami (Florida)
$ 282
(fair price: $ 186)
Los Angeles → New York City
Los Angeles  → New York City
Los Angeles  → New York City
$ 390
(fair price: $ 302)



About this information on the cost of living in Santa Monica

The information about the cost of living in Santa Monica shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including: Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

The information about the cost of living in Santa Monica was updated on 21-09-2024.

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