Ruston, LA 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.
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Santa Monica
59.6
#1949 nationally
Santa Monica leads in walk score (83 vs 25). Santa Monica leads in median household income ($106,797 vs $32,877). Ruston leads in cost of living index (95 vs 273).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ruston, LA | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.3 (#911) | 59.6 (#1949) |
| Population | 22,233 | 89,922 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $229,937 | $1,685,560 |
| Median Household Income | $32,877 | $106,797 |
| Average Commute | 13.9 min | 25.3 min |
| Walk Score | 25 | 83 |
| Crime Level | 11.7 | 21.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 95 | 273 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.4 | D+32.9 |
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →
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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