Atlantic City, NJ vs Santa Monica, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Atlantic City
71.9
#942 nationally
Santa Monica
59.6
#1949 nationally
Santa Monica leads in median household income ($106,797 vs $35,188). Atlantic City leads in cost of living index (104 vs 273). Santa Monica leads in crime level (21.3 vs 48.8).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Atlantic City, NJ | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.9 (#942) | 59.6 (#1949) |
| Population | 38,464 | 89,922 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $221,467 | $1,685,560 |
| Median Household Income | $35,188 | $106,797 |
| Average Commute | 23.7 min | 25.3 min |
| Walk Score | 74 | 83 |
| Crime Level | 48.8 | 21.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 273 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.0 | D+32.9 |
C-
71.9 Score
Atlantic City, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$221,467
Population
38,464
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
74
Northeast
View Atlantic City, NJ →
F
59.6 Score
Santa Monica, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,685,560
Population
89,922
Crime
High
Walk Score
83
Pacific
View Santa Monica, CA →
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