Median Age
50 Years
Largest Age Group
60-69 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
19%
Over 65
28%
Half Moon Bay, CA
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,287
Population
10,868
Renter Mix
31% Rent
A coastal community famous for its fantastic surf, arts scene, and beautiful vistas.
Coastal California
•
Surfing
•
Beaches
Perched on the San Mateo County coast about 27 miles south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is where rugged cliffs meet rolling farmland and the Pacific puts on a daily show. The city earned its name from the crescent-shaped bay that cradles miles of sandy shoreline, and its laid-back pace makes it feel worlds away from Silicon Valley—even though downtown San Jose sits just 38 miles southeast. Half Moon Bay State Beach spans 181 acres of coastline perfect for hiking, biking, or simply watching the surf roll in. Downtown offers a walkable stretch of art galleries, local shops, and Pillar Point Harbor, where fishing boats come and go throughout the day.
The rental market here leans toward single-family homes and smaller apartment communities rather than the high-rises you'd find in nearby San Francisco. Cottages, townhomes, and low-rise units tucked among eucalyptus trees give the housing stock a distinctly coastal character. Each October, the city hosts the Art and Pumpkin Festival, drawing crowds to celebrate the region's deep agricultural roots—Half Moon Bay remains one of California's top pumpkin-growing destinations, a tradition that stretches back generations.
Explore the City
Clean shingle-style homes in Half Moon Bay are common.
Half Moon Bay State Beach is one of the best places to spend the afternoon.
Oceanfront homes like these offer immaculate views and a quiet way of life.
Get an amazing view from the bottom or the top of the hill at Half Moon Bay State Beach.
Half Moon Bay's Three Rocks Beach features gorgeous dramatic views of the ocean.
Public buses in Half Moon Bay offer convenient transit, connecting community and coast.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$143,311
Average: $171,131
Education
4,877
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
6,027
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Half Moon Bay has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
31%
Non-Renters
69%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
40%
Other Education
60%
Rent Trends
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Half Moon Bay, CA is $1,287 for one bedroom, $2,608 for two bedrooms, and $3,631 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Half Moon Bay has increased by 1.9% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,287/month
460 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Half Moon Bay, CA is for everyday living.
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
20
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
324 Students
Public
Grades K-5
324 Students
Public
Grades K-5
544 Students
Alvin S. Hatch Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
544 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
521 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
911 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
911 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Crystal Springs Trail
- Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park
- Filoli Gardens
- Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Airports
- San Francisco International
- Metro Oakland International
Top Apartments in Half Moon Bay
Houses for Rent in Half Moon Bay
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
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 June 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.