At $4,661/mo, rent takes about 35% of the local median household income, slightly 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 $4,661 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
30% of the median household income ($157,884) is $3,947 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($3,710); a 4-bedroom is $4,030.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Half Moon Bay. 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
Half Moon Bay, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 52.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Half Moon Bay, CA has changed in 5 years
On the earnings side, the typical household in Half Moon Bay, CA now reports about $157,884, up from $137,346 in 2021. The population has contracted by 3.4% since 2021, moving from about 11,792 residents to roughly 11,391. Renters now make up 28.9% of households, compared with 30.7% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 52.4% of adults here, versus 50.4% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Half Moon Bay on your salary?
At $4,661/mo, how Half Moon Bay rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Half Moon Bay rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Half Moon Bay. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Half Moon Bay
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Half Moon Bay is $4,661/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,070/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,030/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,540/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,710/mo.
At 35% of local median household income ($157,884/yr), Half Moon Bay ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Half Moon Bay?
How does Half Moon Bay rent compare to other cities in California?
At $4,661/mo, rent takes ~35% of Half Moon Bay's median household income ($157,884/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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