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City Report · CA

Del Mar

Pop. 3,903·5th most expensive in California·Del Mar rents have dropped 38.9%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$7,867/mo
Year-over-Year
-38.9%
Month-over-Month
-6.0%
vs US Median
+$5,902
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Del Mar · $7,867
More expensive than 100% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
47% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $7,867/mo, rent takes about 47% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$315,000/yr
Local median income
$199,152/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Del Mar's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$94,404/yr
At $7,867/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 38.9% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-38.9% YoY, -6.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Del Mar, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 86.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
3,903
Median income
$199,152
Median age
55.5
Renters
46.8%
Age distribution
12.9%
23.4%
21.1%
31.8%
Under 1812.9%
18–3410.8%
35–5423.4%
55–6421.1%
65+31.8%
Gender
48.6%
51.4%
Male48.6%
Female51.4%
Race & ethnicity
85.5%
White85.5%
Black2.2%
Hispanic4%
Asian2.8%
Other5.6%
Education (25+)
86.4%
No HS diploma0.9%
HS diploma5%
Some college7.6%
Bachelor's+86.4%
Housing tenure
53.2%
46.8%
Owner53.2%
Renter46.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Del Mar, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$157,708 → $199,152
up 26.3%
Population
4,008 → 3,903
down 2.6%
Renter share
48.6% → 46.8%
-1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
83.1% → 86.4%
+3.3 pts
Median age
50.5 → 55.5
+5.0 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $157,708 to $199,152 across the same window, up 26.3% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 4,008 to 3,903 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.6% change. About 46.8% of households rent today, against 48.6% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 83.1% to 86.4%.

Community

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View Del Mar rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Del Mar on your salary?

At $7,867/mo, how Del Mar rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Del Mar rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Del Mar. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Del Mar

About renting in Del Mar, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Del Mar is $7,867/mo as of July 2026.

At 47% of local median household income ($199,152/yr), Del Mar ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 38.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Del Mar an affordable city for renters?

Del Mar is considered stretched for renters. At $7,867/mo, rent takes approximately 47% of the local median household income ($199,152/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Del Mar significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Del Mar?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $315,000/year (~$151/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $7,867/mo in Del Mar. The local median household income is $199,152/yr, meaning the typical Del Mar household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Del Mar?

Rent in Del Mar has decreased 38.9% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Del Mar rent compare to other cities in California?

Del Mar is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #5 out of 387 tracked cities at $7,867/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Del Mar?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Del Mar ($7,867/mo): Vista ($2,682/mo), San Marcos ($3,258/mo), Carlsbad ($3,560/mo).

What percentage of Del Mar residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.8% of Del Mar households are renters, while 53.2% are owner-occupied. Del Mar leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Del Mar rent compare to the national average?

Del Mar's median rent of $7,867/mo is $5,902 (300%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #5 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
47%
STRETCHED

At $7,867/mo, rent takes ~47% of Del Mar's median household income ($199,152/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Del Mar 47%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Del Mar affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Del Mar, CA

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