L.A. County residents are less satisfied with their quality of life than at any point in more than a decade, according to a new UCLA report.
Los Angeles County residents are less satisfied with their quality of life than at any point in more than a decade, according to a report being presented Wednesday at the UCLA Luskin Summit. The 2026 Los Angeles County Quality of Life Index found the overall score dropped to a record low of 52, with six of the nine categories measured reaching their lowest levels on record and eight showing year-over-year declines.
"Los Angeles County residents' rating of their quality of life has been in decline since the peak of the COVID pandemic,'' Zev Yaroslavsky, director of the Los Angeles Initiative at UCLA Luskin, said in a statement. "We've been through a lot in the last five years. COVID, increases in the cost of living, immigration sweeps, and the Altadena and Palisades fires have taken their toll on virtually every aspect of our lives.'' Among the lowest-rated areas in the survey were education, transportation and cost of living, all of which saw steep declines and continued to rank as top concerns for residents.Nearly one-third of respondents, 31%, said they are worried that they or someone close to them could be deported, while roughly 30% reported knowing someone who lost income or was afraid to leave home due to enforcement activity. "The ICE sweeps have cast fear and insecurity in many of our communities,'' Yaroslavsky said. "When so many residents are directly touched by these experiences, it's no wonder that anxiety is widespread.'' Lingering economic impacts from the 2025 wildfires were another major concern. More than one in four residents, 26%, reported losing income due to the fires, and about one in five said they have not fully recovered financially. Public sentiment toward recovery efforts was largely negative, with 56% of residents expressing dissatisfaction with local government response and rebuilding efforts. Despite those challenges, a slight majority of respondents -- 53% -- said they remain optimistic about their personal economic future in Los Angeles County. The survey also found the Los Angeles mayoral race remains highly unsettled, with 40% of likely voters undecided. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass led with 25% support, followed by Spencer Pratt at 11% and Nithya Raman at 9%, according to the poll. The Quality of Life Index is based on a survey of 1,400 county residents conducted in March, with a margin of error of 2.6%. At the eighth annual UCLA Luskin Summit on Wednesday, policymakers, researchers and community leaders will focus on strategies to strengthen resilience and address inequality. Former Sen. Laphonza Butler, D-California, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the summit. Organizers said discussions will focus on four main policy areas: housing, environmental health, transportation security and socioeconomic vulnerability. Housing panels will examine California's evolving strategy, including zoning changes intended to expand affordability under recent state laws. Environmental sessions will explore issues such as extreme heat during major events in Los Angeles and the effects of plastic pollution on vulnerable communities. Transportation discussions will center on improving safety and rider confidence on public transit systems, while additional panels will address economic inequality, including regulatory approaches to promote inclusive growth and reduce intergenerational disparities.Copyright © 2026 by City News Service, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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