At $5,742/mo, rent takes about 53% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $5,742 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Carmel By The Sea changed +43.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($129,250) is $3,231 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($2,800); a 2-bedroom is $3,370.
Monterey, 9 miles away, rents for 53% less ($2,696/mo), about $36,600 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Carmel By The Sea. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Carmel By The Sea, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 72.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Carmel By The Sea, CA has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $129,250 today, compared with $100,365 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 3,296 to 3,162 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.1% change. About 39.9% of households rent today, against 45.3% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Carmel By The Sea on your salary?
At $5,742/mo, how Carmel By The Sea rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Carmel By The Sea rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Carmel By The Sea. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Carmel By The Sea
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Carmel By The Sea is $5,742/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,730/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,370/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,800/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,550/mo.
At 53% of local median household income ($129,250/yr), Carmel By The Sea ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 43.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Carmel By The Sea?
Is rent going up or down in Carmel By The Sea?
How does Carmel By The Sea rent compare to other cities in California?
At $5,742/mo, rent takes ~53% of Carmel By The Sea's median household income ($129,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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