Santa Monica, CA
Long-term air quality
What this page tells you
This page combines annual PM2.5, unhealthy days, 5-year trend, and data coverage so you can compare long-term air quality, not just today's reading.
Santa Monica, CA air quality summary: Santa Monica, CA receives a clean air score of 39.6 and a grade of F, reflecting a history of elevated particulate levels. The annual mean for PM2.5 in the city is 13 µg/m³. In Santa Monica, the annual mean concentration of PM2.5 is 13 µg/m³. Long-term air quality in Santa Monica has been worsening over recent years.
Clean Air Score
A clean air score of 39.6 and a grade of F signify that Santa Monica experiences high long-term exposure to particulate matter. These ratings indicate significant environmental challenges for long-term residents.
🏡 What This Means for Buying
Prospective residents should evaluate Santa Monica's F grade and air quality as a primary factor in their housing decisions. The city's particulate levels are considered elevated by long-term standards.
Indoor Air Quality in Santa Monica, CA
Outdoor pollution can still affect indoor air when windows are open, filtration is weak, or wildfire smoke moves in.
How to react when today's AQI changes
Use the AQI bands below to decide whether to open windows, run an air purifier, or stay indoors when pollution spikes in Santa Monica.
AQI 0-50
GoodOpen windows: Open windows if you want fresh air.
Air purifier: No purifier needed for most homes.
Indoor activity: Normal indoor activity is fine.
AQI 51-100
ModerateOpen windows: Sensitive groups should limit open-window time.
Air purifier: Use fans or filtration if dust or pollen is bothering you.
Indoor activity: Most people can stay active indoors.
AQI 101-150
Unhealthy for Sensitive GroupsOpen windows: Keep windows closed.
Air purifier: Run a HEPA purifier in the main room and bedroom.
Indoor activity: Sensitive groups should reduce outdoor exposure.
AQI 151+
UnhealthyOpen windows: Keep windows and doors closed.
Air purifier: Run HEPA continuously and seal obvious drafts.
Indoor activity: Stay indoors as much as possible; use an N95 if you must go out.
Common indoor air concerns in Santa Monica:
- Wildfire smoke infiltration (PM2.5)
- Seasonal pollen and dust mite allergens
- VOCs from household products
Recommended action: If today's AQI reaches 101 or higher, close windows and run HEPA filtration before indoor air starts to feel smoky or stale.
Top Products for Santa Monica Homes:
🩺 My Health Risk Assessment
See how Santa Monica's air quality affects you and your family specifically.
Health Advice
Reduce prolonged outdoor exertion.
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</> Create Free Widget🏡 Property Value Impact Analysis
Between 2019 and 2024, Santa Monica's air quality worsened by 2.3 μg/m³. Based on NBER studies, this change correlates with a estimated 9.2% decrease in relative property value retention.
Cleaner Alternatives in CA
Why Santa Monica earned a 39.6
Raw inputs, scoring weights, and data coverage for this city.
Best Time to Run
Find the cleanest hours for your run today.
Cycling Forecast
Avoid pollution spikes on your next ride.
📅 Past 30 Days Trend
Real-time daily PM2.5 AQI
🌸 Pollen Outlook
Current Seasonal Forecast
How it worksBased on current seasonal forecast data. Not a long-term pollution rating or relocation score.
Score Breakdown
| Component | Weight | Score Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Air Quality | 40% | 0 |
| Unhealthy Days | 25% | 67.2 |
| 5-Year Trend | 20% | 38.5 |
| Seasonal Variability | 10% | 80.8 |
| Extreme Events | 5% | 95 |
Explore More Air Quality Data
Frequently Asked Questions
About This Data
Data Sources
Historical air quality mapping and scoring are based completely on official U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) AirNow API data. 5-day AQI forecasts are provided by WAQI.
Methodology
Our Clean Air Score (0-100) is a proprietary algorithm that weighs multiple factors:
- Annual PM2.5 averages (40%)
- Frequency of unhealthy days (25%)
- 5-year pollution trends (20%)
- Seasonal variability and extreme events (15%)
Updates & Accuracy
Real-time data is updated hourly. Historical aggregate scores are recalculated monthly to reflect the latest trends. While we strive for accuracy, sensor maintenance and local conditions can affect individual readings.
Practical Advice
When AQI > 100: Sensitive groups (children, elderly, asthmatics) should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
When AQI > 150: Everyone should avoid outdoor exercise and keep windows closed.
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Santa Monica Air Quality FAQs
Is Santa Monica a good fit for people who care about long-term air quality?
Santa Monica's clean air score of 39.6 and grade of F suggest significant long-term particulate exposure. An annual PM2.5 mean of 13 µg/m³ is considered elevated for those prioritizing air quality.
How frequent is unhealthy air in Santa Monica?
In Santa Monica, 1.6% of days are classified as unhealthy, reflecting its F grade and PM2.5 mean of 13 µg/m³. This indicates more frequent exposure to pollution than in many other regions.
Is air quality in Santa Monica improving or getting worse over time?
The air quality trend in Santa Monica is currently worsening, indicating a decline in long-term conditions over recent years.
Does air quality vary within Santa Monica?
Local factors such as traffic density, industrial activity, and geography can cause air quality to vary across different parts of Santa Monica.