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City Report · CA

Carmel By The Sea

Pop. 3,162·13th most expensive in California·Carmel-by-the-Sea rents are up 30.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$5,443/mo
Year-over-Year
+30.5%
Month-over-Month
-13.3%
vs US Median
+$3,481
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Carmel By The Sea · $5,443
More expensive than 99% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
51% of income
EXPENSIVE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $5,443/mo, rent takes about 51% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$218,000/yr
Local median income
$129,250/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Carmel By The Sea's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,730
1 BR
$2,800
2 BR
$3,370
3 BR
$4,550
4 BR+
$4,950
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$3,370/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $5,443 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$65,316/yr
At $5,443/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (30.5% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+30.5% YoY, -13.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
3,162
Median income
$129,250
Median age
68.5
Renters
39.9%
Age distribution
12.7%
17.2%
58%
Under 183.4%
18–348.8%
35–5412.7%
55–6417.2%
65+58%
Gender
43.3%
56.7%
Male43.3%
Female56.7%
Race & ethnicity
85.2%
White85.2%
Black1.3%
Hispanic4.5%
Asian1.6%
Other7.3%
Education (25+)
16.2%
72.9%
No HS diploma6%
HS diploma4.9%
Some college16.2%
Bachelor's+72.9%
Housing tenure
60.1%
39.9%
Owner60.1%
Renter39.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Carmel By The Sea, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$100,365 → $129,250
up 28.8%
Population
3,296 → 3,162
down 4.1%
Renter share
45.3% → 39.9%
-5.4 pts
Bachelor's+
74.7% → 72.9%
-1.8 pts
Median age
63.6 → 68.5
+4.9 yrs

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.

Community

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View Carmel By The Sea rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Carmel By The Sea on your salary?

At $5,443/mo, how Carmel By The Sea rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

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.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Carmel By The Sea

About renting in Carmel By The Sea, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Carmel By The Sea is $5,443/mo as of August 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 51% 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 30.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Carmel By The Sea an affordable city for renters?

Carmel By The Sea is considered expensive for renters. At $5,443/mo, rent takes approximately 51% of the local median household income ($129,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Carmel By The Sea significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Carmel By The Sea?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $218,000/year (~$105/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $5,443/mo in Carmel By The Sea. The local median household income is $129,250/yr, meaning the typical Carmel By The Sea household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Carmel By The Sea?

Rent in Carmel By The Sea has increased 30.5% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Carmel By The Sea rent compare to other cities in California?

Carmel By The Sea is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #13 out of 381 tracked cities at $5,443/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carmel By The Sea?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Carmel By The Sea ($5,443/mo): Salinas ($2,472/mo), Monterey ($2,757/mo), Pacific Grove ($3,038/mo).

What percentage of Carmel By The Sea residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.9% of Carmel By The Sea households are renters, while 60.1% are owner-occupied. Carmel By The Sea leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Carmel By The Sea rent compare to the national average?

Carmel By The Sea's median rent of $5,443/mo is $3,481 (177%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #13 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
51%
EXPENSIVE

At $5,443/mo, rent takes ~51% of Carmel By The Sea's median household income ($129,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Carmel By The Sea 51%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Carmel By The Sea affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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