A recent survey released by the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs revealed 45% of respondents are not optimistic about their economic futures in Los Angeles
Los Angeles residents are not happy, according to a newly released UCLA study.
The 2026 Los Angeles County Quality of Life Index recorded its lowest score to date for the county, falling to 52 on Wednesday. In the past six years, the study’s score has dropped consistently. Angelenos’ main concerns center around housing, education and transportation.
Long-time Burbank resident, who asked to be identified only as Erin, said she had a strong sense of “realistic mobility” before 2020. She believed hard work and dedication would ultimately lead to employment and security.
However, Erin has noticed a shift since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There’s no shortcut to live cheap because everything is pricey, and I think that skyrocketed after 2020,” Erin said, explaining 50% of her paycheck goes to rent and transportation. “That just is, like, economic reality here, and housing is a huge part of it.”
According to the study, 35% of the 1,400 respondents said housing was their most prominent concern – and residents are not alone in pointing out the issue.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to declare housing insecurity a public health crisis. This move by the board is not an official emergency declaration, but directs county agencies to refocus priorities.
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The resolution affirms that housing insecurity “contributes to chronic disease, toxic stress, exposure to violence, respiratory illness, behavioral health crises, negative birth outcomes, preventable emergency medical use, and premature mortality.”
The eighth annual UCLA Luskin Summit is taking place on Wednesday, where policymakers, researchers and community leaders will discuss strategies to address inequities in Los Angeles and how to cater to each community’s needs.
This year’s topics, according to organizers, will center around housing, environmental challenges and transportation.
Like Erin, the survey suggested Los Angeles residents’ faith in fixing these issues is declining, along with the quality of life score. 45% stated they were pessimistic about their personal economic futures.
While Los Angeles has struggled with a housing shortage since 1970, prices across the country have skyrocketed as well. The U.S. Department of the Treasury reported in 2024 that housing costs have risen faster than median household incomes since 2000.
Canadian-born Andrea Scornaienchi moved to Los Angeles’ Westside in 2009, and said she has seen a shift in the city in recent years. Scornaienchi described the city as less lively than it once was, with restaurants closing in Santa Monica weekly.
While the increase in prices is clear, Scornaienchi said she has noticed it nationwide when toying with the idea of leaving the Golden State.
“Interest rates are up everywhere,” Scornaienchi said. “The prices are up. It doesn’t matter if you’re in, like, middle of Florida or New York, it’s just everything.”
For Scornaienchi, the quality of life in the city is “what you make of it.”
Another widespread matter plaguing survey takers was the concern of deportation, which has led to increased anxieties.
Approximately one-third of respondents said they are worried that they or someone they know could be deported, while 31% said they knew someone who lost income due to fears of leaving their home.
“The ICE sweeps have cast fear and insecurity in many of our communities,” said Zev Yaroslavsky, director of the Los Angeles Initiative at UCLA Luskin in a statement. “When so many residents are directly touched by these experiences, it’s no wonder that anxiety is widespread.”
The 2026 mayoral election, taking place on June 2, will determine which leader will take on the city’s challenges. Despite being less than two months away, the survey suggested Angelenos aren’t confident in any singular candidate.
A staggering 40% of respondents said they were undecided for the upcoming election. Mayor Karen Bass holds a strong lead in the race, with 25% saying she had their vote. Councilmember Nithya Raman trailed behind the mayor, polling at 12%.
In order to achieve real change in Los Angeles, Erin believes the task cannot be left to one politician, but instead must be systemic.
“There’s a lot of things happening; It’s a housing crisis, mental health crisis and crime all coming together, and they’re not getting ahead of it,” Erin said. “I can’t really crap on a single leader. It is just an overall failure.”