Median Age
43 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 18% of Residents
Under 20
17%
Over 65
21%
Santa Monica, CA
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$2,967
Population
96,463
Renter Mix
74% Rent
Beachfront city with iconic amenities in a convenient locale
Coastal
•
Luxurious
•
Diverse
Santa Monica, California combines coastal living with city convenience along Santa Monica Bay. This walkable 8.4-square-mile community features diverse housing options, from beachfront apartments to established residential neighborhoods. Current rental trends show average apartment rates ranging from $2,420 for studios to $6,413 for four-bedroom units, with modest year-over-year changes between -1.3% and 1.5% depending on unit size.
Santa Monica centers around notable landmarks like the Santa Monica Pier, with its Pacific Park amusement rides and historic carousel, and the open-air Third Street Promenade shopping district. The 26-acre Palisades Park offers ocean views and walking paths along the coastal bluffs. Cultural attractions include Bergamot Station, housing contemporary art galleries in a former trolley station, while the Santa Monica Farmers Market brings local produce to multiple locations throughout the week. The Marvin Braude Bike Trail connects cyclists to 22 miles of coastal paths, and the city maintains over 30 parks and recreation areas. Santa Monica College's main campus adds to the area's educational resources, while the city leads in environmental sustainability through its programs and initiatives.
Explore the City
Downtown Santa Monica is home to the famous State Beach which is enjoyed by all of LA.
The Santa Monica Pier is a popular tourist destination for people across the globe.
Enjoy cliffside views overlooking the ocean from Palisades Park.
Practice skateboarding, long boarding, rollerblading and more along the bike path in Mid-City.
Residents enjoy Santa Monica's diverse nightlife and dining scene.
The Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market is every Wednesday and Saturday.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$107,023
Average: $137,505
Education
57,193
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
53,493
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Santa Monica has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
74%
Non-Renters
26%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
54%
Other Education
46%
Rent Trends
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Santa Monica, CA is $2,515 for a studio, $2,958 for one bedroom, $3,873 for two bedrooms, and $7,283 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Santa Monica has decreased by -2.4% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,958/month
584 Sq Ft
House
$20,284/month
2,775 Sq Ft
Condo
$5,648/month
1,037 Sq Ft
Townhome
$5,004/month
898 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Santa Monica, CA is for everyday living.
Very Walkable
Walkability
80
/ 100
Strong Public Transit
Transit
80
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
70
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
597 Students
Public
Grades K-5
597 Students
Public
Grades K-5
404 Students
Public
Grades K-5
391 Students
Public
Grades K-5
552 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
914 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
914 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
806 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
806 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,588 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,588 Students
Olympic High (Continuation) School
Public
Grades 9-12
30 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
- Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
- Santa Monica State Beach
- Will Rogers State Beach
- Temescal Gateway Park
- Will Rogers State Historic Park
Transit / Subway
Commuter Rail
Military Bases
Airports
- Los Angeles International
- Bob Hope
Top Apartments in Santa Monica
Houses for Rent in Santa Monica
Property Management Companies in Santa Monica, CA
Greystar
-
3,526
Communities
-
969,620
Units
-
899
Cities
9 Communities in Santa Monica
Moss & Company
-
123
Communities
-
9,085
Units
-
37
Cities
9 Communities in Santa Monica
Bold Partners LLC
-
25
Communities
-
693
Units
-
8
Cities
7 Communities in Santa Monica
Westside Property Management
-
14
Communities
-
285
Units
-
7
Cities
7 Communities in Santa Monica
Lido Equities Management Group, Inc.
-
32
Communities
-
785
Units
-
6
Cities
7 Communities in Santa Monica
Bozzuto
-
374
Communities
-
116,155
Units
-
155
Cities
6 Communities in Santa Monica
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
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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 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.