Uber vs Lyft Prices in Santa Monica, CA
Compare base fares from $1.50 • Per-mile rates from $1.30 • Updated 2026
Avg. Ride Cost
$33
Service Tiers
8
Airport Rides
1 routes
Cheapest Option
Lyft
Save ~$0.40/ride
How much does an Uber or Lyft cost in Santa Monica, CA? UberX base fares in Santa Monica start at $1.65 plus $1.35/mile and $0.26/minute. Lyft starts at $1.50 plus $1.30/mile and $0.24/minute. Standard taxi fares begin at $2.85 with $2.70/mile. Based on current rate cards, Lyft offers the lowest base fare in Santa Monica. Actual prices vary with distance, time of day, and surge demand. Compare all options below to find the cheapest ride for your specific route.
Santa Monica Rideshare & Taxi Rate Table
| Service | Base Fare | Per Mile | Per Min | Booking Fee | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UberX | $1.65 | $1.35 | $0.26 | $2.30 | $6.50 |
| Uber Comfort | $2.80 | $1.80 | $0.35 | $2.30 | $9.00 |
| UberXL | $3.00 | $2.40 | $0.42 | $2.30 | $10.00 |
| Uber Black | $8.00 | $3.55 | $0.65 | $0.00 | $15.00 |
| Lyft Standard | $1.50 | $1.30 | $0.24 | $2.35 | $6.25 |
| Lyft XL | $3.00 | $2.30 | $0.40 | $2.35 | $9.50 |
| Lyft Lux | $8.00 | $3.40 | $0.55 | $0.00 | $15.00 |
| Taxi | $2.85 | $2.70 | $0.33 | $0.00 | $6.50 |
Rates based on publicly available rate cards from Uber, Lyft, and local taxi authorities. Actual fares include distance, time, surge multipliers, and fees. Last updated April 2026.
Peak Pricing & Surge Multipliers in Santa Monica
Uber and Lyft use surge (dynamic) pricing during high-demand periods. The table below shows typical surge multipliers for Santa Monica by time of day. A 1.5x multiplier means your fare is 50% higher than the standard rate.
| Service | Standard | Morning Rush | Evening Rush | Late Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UberX | 1x | 1.4x | 1.5x | 1.15x |
| Lyft Standard | 1x | 1.4x | 1.5x | 1.15x |
| Taxi | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x |
Surge multipliers are estimates based on typical demand patterns. Actual surge pricing varies in real time. Morning rush: 7–9 AM, Evening rush: 4–7 PM, Late night: 11 PM–4 AM.
Is Uber or Lyft Cheaper in Santa Monica?
Lyft is currently cheaper for base fares in Santa Monica. Lyft Standard has a base fare of $1.50 compared to UberX's $1.65 — a difference of $0.15 per ride before distance and time charges. However, per-mile rates tell a more complete story: UberX charges $1.35/mile while Lyft charges $1.30/mile. This means Lyft is cheaper for longer rides in Santa Monica. Prices also vary with time of day and surge demand — always compare both apps before booking.
Uber & Lyft Price Per Mile in Santa Monica
The Uber price per mile in Santa Monica is $1.35/mile for UberX, with a base fare of $1.65 and a per-minute charge of $0.26/min. Lyft's per-mile rate in Santa Monica is $1.30/mile with a base fare of $1.50.
Lyft charges less per mile in Santa Monica — ideal for longer trips where the per-mile rate dominates the fare. Always compare both apps before booking, since surge pricing can reverse which service is cheaper at any given moment. For a full national comparison, see our Uber price per mile guide.
Airport Rides from Santa Monica
Rideshare in Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a major city in California, with a population of approximately 93,076. Uber, Lyft, and taxi services are widely available throughout the metropolitan area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uber or Lyft cheaper in Santa Monica?
In Santa Monica, Lyft is typically 3-8% cheaper than Uber for standard rides, though prices vary by time of day and demand. During surge pricing events, either service could be cheaper. We recommend comparing both before booking.
How much does an Uber cost in Santa Monica?
UberX rides in Santa Monica typically start with a base fare of $1.50-$2.55, plus $1.20-$1.75 per mile and $0.22-$0.35 per minute. A typical 5-mile ride costs approximately $10-$18 depending on traffic and demand.
Are taxis cheaper than Uber in Santa Monica?
In Santa Monica, Uber and Lyft are generally 15-30% cheaper than taxis for most rides. However, taxis don't have surge pricing, so during peak demand periods (concerts, sporting events, holidays), taxis may actually be the better deal.
What rideshare options are available in Santa Monica?
Santa Monica has Uber (UberX, Comfort, XL, Black), Lyft (Standard, XL, Lux), and local taxi services. All rideshare services are available through their respective apps. Some areas may also have local rideshare alternatives.
When is the cheapest time to get an Uber in Santa Monica?
The cheapest times for rideshare in Santa Monica are typically mid-morning (10am-12pm) and mid-afternoon (2pm-4pm) on weekdays. Avoid rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm) and late night (12am-3am on weekends) when surge pricing is most common.
Do Uber and Lyft operate 24/7 in Santa Monica?
Yes, both Uber and Lyft operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in Santa Monica. However, wait times may be longer during very late/early hours (3am-5am) due to fewer available drivers.
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Disclaimer: Prices shown are estimates based on publicly available rate data and may differ from actual fares. Actual prices vary based on real-time demand, traffic conditions, promotions, and other factors. RideWise is not affiliated with Uber, Lyft, or any taxi company.