2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California as of October 2026. That's +41% lower than the citywide median of $5,742 and +103% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $1,171 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | California City | $1,230 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,370 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 2 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 3 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 4 | Montecito | $4,540 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Carmel-by-the-Sea.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Carmel-by-the-Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey, CA | 8.7 mi | $2,494 | $-876 (-26%) |
| Seaside, CA | 12.2 mi | $3,140 | $-230 (-7%) |
| Pacific Grove, CA | 13 mi | $2,937 | $-433 (-13%) |
| Marina, CA | 17 mi | $2,780 | $-590 (-18%) |
| Salinas, CA | 22.7 mi | $2,330 | $-1,040 (-31%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 34.9 mi | $3,650 | +$280 (+8%) |
| Capitola, CA | 37.1 mi | $4,290 | +$920 (+27%) |
| Aptos, CA | 38.6 mi | $4,720 | +$1,350 (+40%) |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 40.8 mi | $3,355 | $-15 (0%) |
| Soquel, CA | 41.3 mi | $2,798 | $-572 (-17%) |
| Scotts Valley, CA | 44.2 mi | $4,720 | +$1,350 (+40%) |
| Gilroy, CA | 44.3 mi | $2,820 | $-550 (-16%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California is $3,370 per month. This is +41% below the citywide median of $5,742.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $134,800 ($11,233/month gross), which works out to roughly $64.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is Carmel-by-the-Sea expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Carmel-by-the-Sea's 2-bedroom median of $3,370 is +103% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Carmel-by-the-Sea rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Carmel-by-the-Sea ranks #311 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Monterey ($2,494), Seaside ($3,140), Pacific Grove ($2,937).