Last updated
Average Rent in Santa Monica, CA & Rent Trends
Rent prices and market trends across 3 apartment communities in Santa Monica, CA. Updated daily.
Market Average
$3,099/mo
▼ 2.2% from last month
Lowest Available
$2,374/mo
cheapest unit on market
Communities
3
tracked daily
Units Listed
4
available now
Rent Watch: cuts and increases
Open Rent Watch →See current options while we confirm new price comparisons. Filter by bedrooms and budget, then inspect each building’s history.
Rent by Neighborhood in Santa Monica, CA
Compare average rent across Santa Monica, CA neighborhoods. Click any area to see detailed trends. View these neighborhoods on the rent map
| Neighborhood | Avg Rent | 30d Change | From | Properties | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westwood | $6,963 | ▲ $525 | $6,316 | 1 | 6 |
| Culver - West | $3,913 | ▼ $1 | $3,416 | 1 | 10 |
| Pico | $3,893 | ▲ $54 | $3,175 | 1 | 8 |
| Brentwood | $3,515 | ▲ $308 | $2,374 | 1 | 4 |
Is Rent Going Up or Down in Santa Monica, CA?
As of October 2026, the average rent in Santa Monica, CA is $3,099 per month across 3 apartment communities and 4 available units. Rents have decreased $70 (2.2%) over the past month.
The most affordable option is Casa Granada starting at $2,374/mo. By unit type, a studio averages $3,099/mo.
Prices range from $2,374 to $3,431 per month. The most common price point is the $3,400 range, where 2 units are currently listed.
Santa Monica, CA Rent Price History
View as table
| Month | Avg Rent | Change | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | $4,186 | - | 7 |
| August 2026 | $3,931 | -$255 | 7 |
| September 2026 | $4,004 | +$73 | 7 |
| October 2026 | $3,975 | -$29 | 7 |
The trend line and monthly averages track each building's average listed price, recorded daily with outliers trimmed. The current month is a month-to-date figure, so it can sit above or below today's live market average shown at the top of this page.
Rent Price Distribution
Rent by Bedroom Type in Santa Monica, CA
Rent Prices by Apartment in Santa Monica, CA
| Property | Starting at | Average | Units | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casa Granada | $2,374/mo | $2,374/mo | 1 | 4.6 |
| The Charlie Santa Monica | $3,175/mo | $3,175/mo | 1 | 4.2 |
| The Charlie Mar Vista | $3,416/mo | $3,424/mo | 2 | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Santa Monica, CA
What is the average rent in Santa Monica, CA?
Is rent going up or down in Santa Monica, CA?
What is the cheapest apartment in Santa Monica, CA?
How many apartments are available in Santa Monica, CA?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Santa Monica, CA?
Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Minimum to afford average rent
$124,000/year
Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $3,099/mo.
Comfortable income
$149,000/year
Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($2,374/mo), you need to earn at least $95,000/year.
Median household income in Santa Monica, CA is $109,739 , about 26% below the comfortable-living threshold.
Cost of living in Santa Monica, CA
Overall prices in Santa Monica, CA runs above the national average by about 15% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 114.7, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by Santa Monica, CA's regional price parities.
| Category | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (market average) | $3,099 |
| Utilities | $744 |
| Groceries | $578 |
| Transportation | $1,773 |
| Healthcare | $865 |
| Other goods and services | $1,384 |
| Estimated total | $8,443/mo |
Population
91,535
Median household income
$109,739
Census median rent
$2,338/mo
Census rent burden
28.3%
Median age
42.9
Mean commute
26 min
Methodology
Rent data
Sourced directly from each tracked apartment community and refreshed every 24 hours. Every listed unit price on this page is real and listed today.
Cost of living
Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.
Salary to live comfortably
Applies the standard 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income rule on top of the listed rent. This is the same affordability guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Demographic figures
Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.
Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.
Google Search Trends for Santa Monica, CA Apartments
Search interest for apartments in this area over the past 12 months.
Search Interest Over Time
Explore Santa Monica, CA Apartments
Browse all 3 communities with daily-updated pricing and availability.