Travel budget and cost of living in Santa Monica (California) how much does a trip cost?

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.

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

Cost of living in Santa Monica compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in Santa Monica in 2025 is 26% 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 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Santa Monica by expense type

Restaurant budget in Santa Monica

Lunch

$ 30/person
($ 15 to $ 47)

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31% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

3 course dinner

$ 63/person
($ 41 to $ 95)

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54% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 41

McDonald's meal

$ 15/person
($ 12 to $ 18)

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24% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 10.3 for 500ml
($ 5.7 to $ 13)

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57% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.5

Imported beer

$ 4.7 for 330ml
($ 2.1 to $ 7.9)

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21% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Cappuccino

$ 6.3/cup
($ 4 to $ 9.1)

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13% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.6

Fizzy drink

$ 3.1/can
($ 2.3 to $ 4.5)

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17% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8

Water bottle

$ 2.7/bottle
($ 2.2 to $ 3.4)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Santa Monica

1-star hotel

$ 107/night
($ 72 to $ 146)

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39% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 175

2-star hotel

$ 144/night
($ 66 to $ 207)

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13% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 167

3-star hotel

$ 280/night
($ 102 to $ 895)

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14% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 247

4-star hotel

$ 388/night
($ 163 to $ 1330)

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12% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 347

5-star hotel

$ 944/night
($ 408 to $ 2028)

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67% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 566

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 152/month
($ 84 to $ 278)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 178

Room with kitchen

$ 325/month
($ 68 to $ 1608)

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24% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 264

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 233/month
($ 88 to $ 370)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 224

Cottage or guest house

$ 300/month
($ 191 to $ 416)

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18% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 255

Family room

$ 188/month
($ 91 to $ 259)

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13% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 219

Supermarket food budget in Santa Monica

Milk

$ 1.4/litre
($ 0.9 to $ 1.9)

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21% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 5/500g
($ 2.6 to $ 6.3)

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29% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Rice

$ 5.2/kg
($ 2.4 to $ 7.6)

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7% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Eggs

$ 5.5/12 eggs
($ 2.8 to $ 7.9)

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37% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Chicken

$ 16/kg
($ 7.5 to $ 26)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Apples

$ 6.3/kg
($ 2.6 to $ 10)

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10% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7

Tomatoes

$ 5.8/kg
($ 2.4 to $ 7.6)

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10% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Potatoes

$ 3.6/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 12)

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12% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2

Water bottle

$ 2.6
($ 1.2 to $ 3.4)

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10% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Public and private transport budget in Santa Monica

Bus ticket

$ 2.4/ticket
($ 2 to $ 2.8)

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11% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.9/km
($ 1.9 to $ 4.2)

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2% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Petrol

$ 1.5/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 1.7)

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41% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 3.4
($ 3.4 to $ 12)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Car hire

$ 95/24hrs
($ 39 to $ 222)

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18% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 81

Leisure activity budget in Santa Monica

Cinema

$ 21/ticket
($ 16 to $ 26)

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37% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Tennis

$ 52/hr
($ 30 to $ 75)

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124% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Santa Monica

Cigarettes

$ 14/pack
($ 10.3 to $ 16)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 70
($ 35 to $ 115)

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21% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58

Summer dress

$ 52
($ 30 to $ 93)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

Dublin → New York City

$ 590
(fair price: $ 507)

Manchester → New York City

$ 706
(fair price: $ 583)

London → New York City

$ 573
(fair price: $ 503)

Edinburgh → New York City

$ 830
(fair price: $ 661)

London → Miami (Florida)

$ 736
(fair price: $ 623)

Manchester → Miami (Florida)

$ 770
(fair price: $ 682)