Santa Monica, CA town hall & government
Santa Monica spent $1.1 billion in the year to June 30, 2024, about $12,333 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Santa Monica's government.
Who runs Santa Monica
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Santa Monica's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Sales taxes 28%
- Fees & charges 21%
- Interest, fines & other 14%
- Property taxes 9%
- From the state 7%
- Other taxes & licenses 7%
- Utility sales 7%
- From the federal government 4%
- From other local governments 3%
Who works for Santa Monica
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
Santa Monica's K–12 school district, shared with Malibu. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from California districts overall: 36% local, 52% state, 11% federal
- Local 88%
- State 10%
- Federal 2%
Of the $22,837 per pupil, $13,146 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Which schools Santa Monica kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Santa Monica pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Santa Monica's government
Who represents Santa Monica
Santa Monica is represented in Congress by Senators Alex Padilla and Adam B. Schiff and Representative Ted Lieu. Gavin Newsom is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.