1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California as of July 2026. That's +55% lower than the citywide median of $6,281 and +101% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Compare Carmel-by-the-Sea's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Carmel-by-the-Sea.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Carmel-by-the-Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey, CA | 8.7 mi | $2,170 | $-630 (-22%) |
| Seaside, CA | 12.2 mi | $2,610 | $-190 (-7%) |
| Pacific Grove, CA | 13 mi | $2,196 | $-604 (-22%) |
| Marina, CA | 17 mi | $2,310 | $-490 (-17%) |
| Salinas, CA | 22.7 mi | $1,905 | $-895 (-32%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 34.9 mi | $2,780 | $-20 (-1%) |
| Capitola, CA | 37.1 mi | $3,270 | +$470 (+17%) |
| Aptos, CA | 38.6 mi | $3,600 | +$800 (+29%) |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 40.8 mi | $3,710 | +$910 (+33%) |
| Scotts Valley, CA | 44.2 mi | $3,600 | +$800 (+29%) |
| Gilroy, CA | 44.3 mi | $2,430 | $-370 (-13%) |
| Hollister, CA | 46.5 mi | $2,430 | $-370 (-13%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California is $2,800 per month. This is +55% below the citywide median of $6,281.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $112,000 ($9,333/month gross), which works out to roughly $53.85/hour at a full-time job.
Is Carmel-by-the-Sea expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Carmel-by-the-Sea's 1-bedroom median of $2,800 is +101% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Carmel-by-the-Sea rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Carmel-by-the-Sea ranks #319 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Monterey ($2,170), Seaside ($2,610), Pacific Grove ($2,196).