West LA Times

The annual UCLA survey examining the quality of life in Los Angeles County highlights growing concerns over the high cost of living, which continues to dominate residents' worries. This year, the Total Quality of Life Index (QLI) remains at its lowest recorded level—53 out of 100,—unchanged from last year. The index, a project spearheaded by the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, provides insights into residents' satisfaction across nine categories. Zev Yaroslavsky, director of the Los Angeles Initiative, noted that the broad positives in the area, such as physical environment and diversity, are overshadowed by the increased importance placed on negatives like living costs.

The January 2025 wildfires, recently surveyed for the first time, impacted residents significantly. "The wildfires that raged in Altadena and Pacific Palisades in January are the story of this year’s survey," Yaroslavsky remarked. The fires resulted in devastating "physical and psychological impacts," affecting a wide range of residents, especially across geographic, economic, and racial divides. Over two-fifths knew someone affected by the fires, with around a quarter of respondents in northern and southern county areas acknowledging similar impacts.

In financial terms, 14% of participants reported significant income losses due to the fires, with another 13% somewhat affected. The hardest-hit groups tend to be Latino, young, lower-income, and part-time employees. An overwhelming 89% believe those who lost homes should be allowed to rebuild on the same sites. This support represents a notable increase from post-Woolsey fire attitudes, where 76% agreed on rebuilding permissions.

Regarding public policy, 52% support increased taxes to enhance wildfire response efforts, with younger people, Latinos, and Asians showing more receptivity. Public officials' reputations have also been influenced; Mayor Karen Bass, for instance, is viewed unfavorably by nearly half of respondents following the fires.

The cost of living consistently ranks as a top concern. "Those concerns were the highest in terms of importance of any category we’ve measured in the last decade," asserted Paul Maslin from FM3 Research. The category has continuously registered the lowest satisfaction ratings.

Immigration anxieties for 44% of residents reflect increased worries about deportation under current federal policies, particularly among Latinos and younger adults. There is growing contemplation around city and county resistance to new governmental policies.

On the homelessness front, this year's survey reveals a potential turning point. Fewer residents believe the situation is worsening, dropping from 60% to 52% over the past year, although optimism remains low at 10%. The QLI collected data from 1,400 residents and was supported by Meyer and Renee Luskin through UCLA’s Los Angeles Initiative. It will be presented on April 16 at the UCLA Luskin Summit, focusing on recovery post-fires and featuring officials and scholars.