Zev Yaroslavsky Reflects on Declining Quality of Life in Los Angeles Times Report
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:21
Zev Yaroslavsky Reflects on Declining Quality of Life in Los Angeles Times Report
Zev Yaroslavsky Reflects on Declining Quality of Life in Los Angeles Times Report
A new
Los Angeles Times
report highlights a continued decline in quality of life across Los Angeles County, according to UCLA Luskin’s 11th annual Quality of Life Index, which has fallen to its lowest point since the survey began in 2016. The index score dropped to 52, driven by widespread declines in satisfaction across nearly all major categories, including education, transportation, public safety, and cost of living. Six categories reached decade lows, underscoring persistent concerns about affordability, infrastructure, and safety.
The report finds that residents continue to feel the compounding effects of recent crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, rising housing costs, immigration enforcement actions, and devastating wildfires. Cost of living remains the most significant driver of dissatisfaction, with housing, utilities, groceries, and taxes increasingly cited as key pressures.
Zev Yaroslavsky
, director of the Los Angeles Initiative at UCLA, noted the cumulative toll of these challenges, saying, “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. [They all] have taken their toll on virtually every aspect of our lives,” and adding, “People haven’t had a chance to come out of the water and take a breath.”
Despite the decline, the survey shows resilience, with most residents still optimistic about their economic future and a strong majority viewing L.A. as offering access to a “good life.”
“I think people still have hope and still think things can get better,” Yaroslavsky said. “There’s a lot of resiliency in L.A., … especially in the immigrant population,”
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The statements on this page represent the views of people affiliated with the Luskin School of Public Affairs and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of California, or UCLA or its Chancellor.
Posts and comments by individuals at UCLA on social media channels may not reflect the opinions or
policies of UCLA
, the University of California or the Luskin School, nor its benefactors and academic partners.
David C. Turner III Receives AERA Early Career Award
Shane Phillips Weighs In on San Diego’s Proposed Vacancy Tax
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Zev Yaroslavsky Reflects on Declining Quality of Life in Los Angeles Times Report
A new
Los Angeles Times
report highlights a continued decline in quality of life across Los Angeles County, according to UCLA Luskin’s 11th annual Quality of Life Index, which has fallen to its lowest point since the survey began in 2016. The index score dropped to 52, driven by widespread declines in satisfaction across nearly all major categories, including education, transportation, public safety, and cost of living. Six categories reached decade lows, underscoring persistent concerns about affordability, infrastructure, and safety.
The report finds that residents continue to feel the compounding effects of recent crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, rising housing costs, immigration enforcement actions, and devastating wildfires. Cost of living remains the most significant driver of dissatisfaction, with housing, utilities, groceries, and taxes increasingly cited as key pressures.
Zev Yaroslavsky
, director of the Los Angeles Initiative at UCLA, noted the cumulative toll of these challenges, saying, “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. [They all] have taken their toll on virtually every aspect of our lives,” and adding, “People haven’t had a chance to come out of the water and take a breath.”
Despite the decline, the survey shows resilience, with most residents still optimistic about their economic future and a strong majority viewing L.A. as offering access to a “good life.”
“I think people still have hope and still think things can get better,” Yaroslavsky said. “There’s a lot of resiliency in L.A., … especially in the immigrant population,”
You might also like
Fight for Housing Continues a Year After Sweep of Echo Park Lake
Terriquez on Lessons Learned From L.A. Scandal
A Freeway Closure That Reverberates Around the Region
Nothing Uglier Than Redistricting, Yaroslavsky Says
Leap on Complicated Origins of Gang Activity
Perception vs. Reality: UCLA Luskin’s Jorja Leap Talks Crime Coverage with ABC7
0
replies
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!
Leave a Reply
Cancel reply
Contact
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
3250 Public Affairs Building - Box 951656
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656
Campus Resources
Maps, Directions, Parking
Directory
Contact
Academic Calendar
Careers
Diversity
University of California
Terms of Use
Follow
The statements on this page represent the views of people affiliated with the Luskin School of Public Affairs and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of California, or UCLA or its Chancellor.
Posts and comments by individuals at UCLA on social media channels may not reflect the opinions or
policies of UCLA
, the University of California or the Luskin School, nor its benefactors and academic partners.
David C. Turner III Receives AERA Early Career Award
Shane Phillips Weighs In on San Diego’s Proposed Vacancy Tax
Scroll to top