Living at Santa Monica
1519 6th St,
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Studio - 2 Beds | $3,231 - $4,898
Rental Market Trends in Santa Monica, CA
Updated July 2026
The average rent in Santa Monica, CA is $3,005/month.
Rent in Santa Monica is 81% higher than the national average rent of $1,663/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.
$3,005/month
Average Rent
584 Sq Ft
Average Size
-0.6%
Change / Year
2,390
Available Apartments
Santa Monica rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in Santa Monica average $2,579 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in Santa Monica average $3,005 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in Santa Monica average $3,901 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in Santa Monica average $6,991 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Santa Monica, CA?
In the past year, rent has decreased by 0.6%, which averages out to $17 less per month.
Market Trends Over Time
July 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Santa Monica, CA
July 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
1%
Below $700/month
3%
$700 - $1,000/month
5%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
8%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
83%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Santa Monica?
Based on current rent prices, Sunset Park, Pico and Northeast 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, North of Montana, Downtown Santa Monica and Mid-City Santa Monica 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 Downtown Santa Monica, Pico and Mid-City Santa Monica .
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 $3,005, you’ll want to make about $10,016 per month or $120,192 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.
View the Santa Monica Area GuideStudio
$1,645/month
$2,710/month
One Bedroom
$2,167/month
$3,440/month
Two Bedroom
$2,914/month
$4,550/month
Three Bedroom
$3,398/month
$5,073/month
Compare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
Apartment Communities in Santa Monica We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Santa Monica?
The average rent in Santa Monica is $3,005 per month, which is 80.7% higher than the national average of $1,663.
What is the average rent for a house in Santa Monica?
The average rent for a house in Santa Monica, CA is $13,840 per month.
What is the average rent for a townhome in Santa Monica?
The average rent for a townhome in Santa Monica, CA is $11,547 per month.
What is the average rent for a condo in Santa Monica?
The average rent for a condo in Santa Monica, CA is $3,614 per month.
Are rents going up or down in Santa Monica?
Rents in Santa Monica, CA are decreasing, with prices down 0.6% year-over-year and $17 less per month.
What rent range is most common in Santa Monica?
In Santa Monica, CA, 83% of apartments fall above $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
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.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.