Monterey

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Monterey, CA

Area Guide

Wildlife, fantastic beaches, historic sites, a great downtown -- Monterey has it all.

Beachfront California Coast Monterey Bay College Town Historic Fun-Filled Outdoor Adventure

Monterey, situated on California's Central Coast, combines coastal beauty with historical significance. Housing options range from historic adobes in Old Monterey to apartments near Cannery Row, with one-bedroom units averaging $2,106 per month, reflecting a 1.9% annual increase. The Monterey Bay Aquarium stands at the heart of Cannery Row, while downtown features preserved Spanish colonial architecture. Residents enjoy the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, where sea otters, seals, and migrating whales can be spotted from coastal paths and beaches.

The city's distinct neighborhoods, including New Monterey and Del Monte, connect residents to both city conveniences and coastal attractions. As home to the Naval Postgraduate School and Defense Language Institute, Monterey serves as an international education hub. The city celebrates arts and culture through events like the Monterey Jazz Festival and honors its literary heritage, particularly its connection to John Steinbeck. Recreation opportunities abound at Lake El Estero and along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. The Mediterranean climate, with average highs from 58°F in winter to 68°F in summer, supports outdoor activities throughout the year.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Monterey, CA is $1,843 for a studio, $2,211 for one bedroom, $2,898 for two bedrooms, and $3,190 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Monterey has increased by 0.5% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,211/month
618 Sq Ft
House
$4,665/month
1,423 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Monterey, CA

Transportation

73

Very Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

If you enjoy walking, you’ll enjoy renting in this area! It’s a very walkable neighborhood.

34

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

60

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

La Mesa Elementary

Public

Grades K-8

564 Students

Foothill Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

299 Students

Monte Vista

Public

Grades K-8

572 Students

La Mesa Elementary

Public

Grades K-8

564 Students

Monte Vista

Public

Grades K-8

572 Students

Walter Colton

Public

Grades 6-8

569 Students

Monterey High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,399 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Monterey State Beach
  • Monterey County Youth Museum
  • Monterey State Historic Park
  • Monterey Maritime Museum
  • Jack's Peak County Park

Airports

  • Monterey Regional

Top Apartments in Monterey

Houses for Rent in Monterey

Property Management Companies in Monterey, CA

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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 November 2025.