Mountain View, CA 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.
Mountain View
63.3
#1779 nationally
Santa Monica
59.6
#1949 nationally
Mountain View leads in crime level (8.4 vs 21.3). Mountain View leads in median household income ($174,156 vs $106,797). Santa Monica leads in walk score (83 vs 66).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Mountain View, CA | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.3 (#1779) | 59.6 (#1949) |
| Population | 81,785 | 89,922 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,962,774 | $1,685,560 |
| Median Household Income | $174,156 | $106,797 |
| Average Commute | 24.2 min | 25.3 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 83 |
| Crime Level | 8.4 | 21.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 285 | 273 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+40.0 | D+32.9 |
D
63.3 Score
Mountain View, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,962,774
Population
81,785
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
66
Pacific
View Mountain View, CA →
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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