Survey Reveals LA County Quality of Life at 10-Year Low

Los Angeles County residents are feeling the strain as the cost of living continues to soar, according to a new survey conducted by UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs. The annual Quality of Life Index (QLI), which polled 1,400 residents, paints a grim picture: residents are increasingly worried about basic necessities like groceries, rent, and household goods. The county’s QLI score remains stagnant at an all-time low of 53 out of 100 — unchanged from 2024 and the worst level since the index began tracking in 2016.

The survey reveals that the rising price of essentials — driven by inflation that has remained stubbornly high in Southern California — is the number one concern for residents. Grocery prices alone rose nearly 5.8% in Los Angeles between 2023 and 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Meanwhile, housing costs have climbed even higher, with median rent in the county now surpassing $2,900 per month, making Los Angeles one of the least affordable major cities in America.

Compounding these economic pressures, the January 2025 wildfires added a new layer of hardship. The UCLA study found that more than two-fifths of respondents (42%) reported knowing someone affected by the devastating fires. Even those living far from the burn zones — such as residents in the northern county and the South Bay — said they had friends, coworkers, or family members who suffered losses.

The fires, including the massive Palisades and Eaton blazes, destroyed an estimated 16,400 structures, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). For context, this destruction dwarfs that of the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which destroyed about 1,600 structures — making this year’s wildfire season one of the most catastrophic in California’s history.

Economic damage was widespread:

• 14% of residents reported suffering significant income loss due to the fires, such as job disruptions, destroyed workplaces, or lost businesses.

• 13% experienced moderate to minor financial setbacks.

In the face of crisis, the community responded with resilience. More than half of those surveyed said they took personal action during the wildfires — whether by wearing masks to protect against dangerous smoke inhalation or volunteering to help victims with supplies, shelter, and recovery efforts. Health officials warned that air quality during the fires reached hazardous levels across much of the county, triggering spikes in emergency room visits for asthma and respiratory distress.

The report notes that the impact was not evenly felt. Latinos, younger residents, low-income earners, and part-time workers bore the brunt of the physical and financial toll, a pattern consistent with previous disasters that disproportionately harm vulnerable communities.

Despite the enormous losses, support for allowing homeowners to rebuild on their lost land remains strong. A remarkable 89% of respondents believe residents should have the right to rebuild — a significant increase from 76% following the Woolsey Fire. This surge in support highlights the community’s sympathy for fire victims and the emotional connection many feel to their homes and neighborhoods.

However, the idea of paying higher taxes to improve wildfire prevention and response efforts remains divisive. About half of residents indicated they would support new taxes aimed at bolstering emergency services, with younger adults, Latinos, and Asian Americans more open to the idea. Meanwhile, white and Black residents expressed greater skepticism, reflecting broader regional debates about taxation and government spending.

The wildfires have also negatively affected public perceptions of political leadership. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass — who took office pledging to tackle homelessness and improve disaster preparedness — saw her favorability rating fall to 37%, down from 42% in 2024. Analysts suggest that the sheer scale of the wildfire destruction, combined with preexisting frustrations over high living costs, have dented public confidence in city and county leaders.

Beyond wildfires and cost-of-living concerns, immigration remains another source of deep anxiety. 44% of respondents reported worrying that someone they know could be deported under current federal immigration policies. Among Latinos, this concern is even higher at 54%, and young adults aged 18 to 39 are the most apprehensive overall. The issue has surged back into the spotlight after recent changes under the new presidential administration, which has taken a more aggressive stance on immigration enforcement compared to previous years.

Notably, many survey participants expressed a desire for local governments to resist cooperating with federal deportation efforts — continuing a trend seen since the Trump era, when “sanctuary city” policies gained momentum in Los Angeles County.

Homelessness also remains top-of-mind for residents. While slightly fewer people now believe the crisis is worsening — 52% this year compared to 60% in 2024 — there remains broad pessimism. Only 10% believe homelessness is actually improving, mirroring last year’s figures. This small shift may be due to expanded shelter programs and Mayor Bass’s push for emergency housing, but clearly, progress remains elusive.

Economist Paul Maslin of FM3 Research, who helped conduct the survey, emphasized that the skyrocketing cost of living is “the heaviest anchor pulling down overall satisfaction scores.” Housing remains the largest driver of discontent, but groceries, utilities, transportation costs, and rising taxes are catching up fast.

“The basic feeling across Los Angeles County is one of economic suffocation,” Maslin said.

Survey co-author Zev Yaroslavsky pointed out that immigration, wildfires, and homelessness are issues where “government failure — or the perception of government failure — is feeding a broad sense of frustration and fear.”

Overall, the 2025 UCLA Quality of Life Index paints a sobering portrait of a county grappling with interlocking crises: economic hardship, natural disasters, political mistrust, and deep social anxiety. Without major changes, the outlook for the coming years remains grim.