Median Age
43 Years
Largest Age Group
35-44 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
21%
Over 65
20%
Cardiff By The Sea
Cardiff By The Sea, CA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$2,966
Population
11,344
Renter Mix
41% Rent
Discover your dream home by the sea
Beach
•
Coastal
•
Laidback
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Scenic
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Great Location
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A namesake town, Cardiff by the Sea is a beach community in the city of Encinitas, 30 minutes north of San Diego. Resting beside the Pacific Coast, Cardiff is lined with palm trees and filled with beach-inspired homes. Residents take full advantage of Cardiff’s sandy treasures, going to the beach almost every day. San Ellijo State Beach is a popular spot for snorkeling, surfing, picnics, and camping, while Cardiff Beach offers breathtaking sunsets at waterfront eateries and bars. If you’re feeling adventurous, schedule a balloon ride and get a bird’s eye view of SoCal. After a long day, head inland to one of Cardiff’s many laidback eateries and cafes. Cardiff is truly a dream, but if you want to experience a bustling city, San Diego isn’t far. Fulfill your dream living experience today and rent your next apartment or home in Cardiff.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$140,443
Average: $168,681
Education
5,837
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
5,978
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Cardiff By The Sea has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
41%
Non-Renters
59%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
47%
Other Education
53%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Cardiff By The Sea, CA is $2,966 for one bedroom, $3,143 for two bedrooms, and $3,895 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Cardiff By The Sea has increased by 6.8% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,966/month
767 Sq Ft
House
$18,172/month
2,269 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Cardiff By The Sea, CA is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
Walkability
30
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Scores provided by
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve and Nature Center
- San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center
- San Elijo State Beach
- Cardiff State Beach
- San Diego Botanic Garden
Transit / Subway
Commuter Rail
Military Bases
Airports
- San Diego International
Top Apartments in Cardiff By The Sea
Houses for Rent in Cardiff By The Sea
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.