Santa Monica, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: November 18, 2025 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Santa Monica is $3,922, a 0.08% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $3,919.
Studio Apartments at $2,647 offer the most budget-friendly option with 484 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 701 square feet for $3,621, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $5,122 offer 997 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,207 sq ft) for $5,953, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Santa Monica, CA
Last updated: November 18, 2025
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $3,922 | 757 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,647 | 484 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $3,621 | 701 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $5,122 | 997 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $5,953 | 1,207 sq. ft. |
Santa Monica, CA rent trends
Rental prices in Santa Monica, CA have increased by 0.08% over the past year. The average rent moved from $3,919 to $3,922.
What's the typical rent budget in Santa Monica, CA?
The largest share of rentals in Santa Monica, CA (72%) fall between $3,000- per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Santa Monica, CA?
33,096 or 71% of the households in Santa Monica, CA are renter-occupied while 13,361 or 29% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Santa Monica?
Pico $2,697/month
Wilshire - Montana $3,380/month
Ocean Park $3,828/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $3,922/month.Average Rent in Santa Monica, CA By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Downtown Santa Monica | $4,218 |
| Mid-City Santa Monica | $3,983 |
| Ocean Park | $3,828 |
| Wilshire - Montana | $3,380 |
| Pico | $2,697 |
/
Santa Monica | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Downtown Santa Monica is 6% higher than in Mid-City Santa Monica
$4,218
Downtown Santa Monica rent is 8% higher than Santa Monica average
Average Rent
$4,218
$3,983
Mid-City Santa Monica rent is 2% higher than Santa Monica average
Average Rent
$3,983
How Santa Monica Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Santa Monica | $3,922 |
| Los Angeles | $2,765 |
| East Bay | $2,670 |
| San Francisco | $3,598 |
| San Diego | $2,968 |
| Oakland | $2,635 |
| Long Beach | $2,670 |
| Sacramento | $1,906 |
| San Jose | $3,134 |
| Fresno | $1,622 |
| Tulare | $1,693 |
| Inglewood | $2,504 |
| West Hollywood, CA | $3,122 |
| Glendale | $2,911 |
| Burbank, CA | $2,852 |
| Hawthorne, CA | $2,009 |
| Torrance, CA | $2,507 |
| Pasadena, CA | $3,248 |
| Downey, CA | $2,286 |
| Redondo Beach, CA | $3,169 |
| Gardena, CA | $1,790 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Santa Monica apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.