Monterey

Riding the waves with style and grace in Monterey, CA.
Monterey High School offers dynamic learning in Monterey Vista.
Chasing the sun golden kiss at Del Monte Sand Beach in Monterey, CA.
Taking in the vast view of Monterey Bay in Monterey, CA.
Monterey High School: Shaping futures, inspiring excellence in Monterey, CA.

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.

Explore the City

Chasing the sun golden kiss at Del Monte Sand Beach in Monterey, CA.

Taking in the vast view of Monterey Bay in Monterey, CA.

Monterey High School: Shaping futures, inspiring excellence in Monterey, CA.

Del Monte is close to numerous restaurants full of character.

Friends enjoy a drink at a brewery on Broadway in Del Monte.

Diners pack the cool Googie Grill near Del Monte.

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Monterey, CA is $1,845 for a studio, $2,199 for one bedroom, $2,909 for two bedrooms, and $3,235 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Monterey has increased by 1.6% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,199/month
615 Sq Ft
House
$4,433/month
1,187 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Monterey, CA

Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Monterey, CA is for everyday living.

Very Walkable

73 / 100

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

Some Transit

34 / 100

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

Bikeable

60 / 100

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

Schools

Big Sur Charter

Public

Grades K-12

La Mesa Elementary

Public

Grades K-8

Foothill Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

299 Students

Monte Vista

Public

Grades K-8

Bay View Academy

Public

Grades K-8

Big Sur Charter

Public

Grades K-12

La Mesa Elementary

Public

Grades K-8

Monte Vista

Public

Grades K-8

Bay View Academy

Public

Grades K-8

Walter Colton

Public

Grades 6-8

569 Students

Monterey High

Public

Grades 9-12

Big Sur Charter

Public

Grades K-12

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

Search Nearby 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 February 2026.