Living at Santa Monica
1519 6th St,
Santa Monica, CA 90401
$2,496 - $4,673
Studio - 2 Beds
Rental Market Trends in Santa Monica, CA
What is the average rent in Santa Monica, CA?
$3,006/month
Average Rent
588 Sq Ft
Average Apartment Size
-1.9%
Decrease in the Last Year
As of January 2026, the average rent in Santa Monica, CA is $3,006 per month. This is 85% higher than the national average rent price of $1,625/month, making Santa Monica one of the most expensive cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in Santa Monica, you can expect to pay about $2,520 per month for a studio, $3,006 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $3,858 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $5,215 or more.
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Santa Monica, CA?
In the past year, rent has decreased by 1.9%, which averages out to $57 less per month.
Market Trends Over Time
The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated January 2026
Legend
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Santa Monica, CA
Last Updated January 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
1%
Below $700/month
4%
$700 - $1,000/month
5%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
9%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
82%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
Last Updated Today
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Santa Monica?
Based on current rent prices, Sunset Park, Chelsea Green and Ocean Spray are the most affordable neighborhoods in Santa Monica.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Santa Monica?
Based on current rent prices, Fountain Glen, Downtown Santa Monica and Ocean Park are the most expensive neighborhoods in Santa Monica.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which Santa Monica neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhoods in Santa Monica with the most apartments available are Mid-City Santa Monica, Downtown Santa Monica and Pico .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Santa Monica, CA?
Because the average rent in Santa Monica is $3,006, you’ll want to make about $10,020 per month or $120,240 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.
How does Santa Monica, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare Santa Monica, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.
Studio
$1,716/month
-
One Bedroom
$2,143/month
-
Two Bedroom
$2,905/month
-
Three Bedroom
$3,649/month
-
Nearby City Rent Trends
Apartment communities in Santa Monica we think you'll love
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Moss & Company
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143
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10,067
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34
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12 Communities in Santa Monica
Lido Equities Management Group, Inc.
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32
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787
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6
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Greystar
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3,458
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953,902
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889
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6 Communities in Santa Monica
Bozzuto
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383
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118,539
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157
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Westside Property Management
-
13
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310
Units
-
8
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6 Communities in Santa Monica
Douglas Emmett
-
11
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-
4,337
Units
-
4
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6 Communities in Santa Monica
Property Management Associates
-
69
Communities
-
3,424
Units
-
24
Cities
5 Communities in Santa Monica
The Beaumont Co.
-
28
Communities
-
795
Units
-
12
Cities
5 Communities in Santa Monica
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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.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.