Bell, CA vs Santa Monica, CA

The cost of living difference between Bell, CA and Santa Monica, CA is dramatic. Bell is 48.8% cheaper than Santa Monica, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bell has a cost index of 133 while Santa Monica sits at 259, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bell is $1,538/month compared to $2,338/month in Santa Monica — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bell is more affordable at $561,400 median vs $1,810,200.

Median household income in Bell is $60,641 compared to $109,739 in Santa Monica (-44.7%). The higher salaries in Santa Monica partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bell spend roughly 30.4% of their income on rent, more than the 25.6% in Santa Monica. The Santa Monica ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.