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City Report · CA

Half Moon Bay

Pop. 11,391·22nd most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$4,542/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+12.2%
vs US Median
+$2,577
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Half Moon Bay · $4,542
More expensive than 99% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
35% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $4,542/mo, rent takes about 35% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$182,000/yr
Local median income
$157,884/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Half Moon Bay's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,070
1 BR
$2,540
2 BR
$3,030
3 BR
$3,710
4 BR+
$4,030
Research median
$3,030/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$54,504/yr
At $4,542/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +12.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
11,391
Median income
$157,884
Median age
47.4
Renters
28.9%
Age distribution
22.7%
14.2%
25.4%
14.7%
23.1%
Under 1822.7%
18–3414.2%
35–5425.4%
55–6414.7%
65+23.1%
Gender
47.8%
52.2%
Male47.8%
Female52.2%
Race & ethnicity
61.1%
28.7%
White61.1%
Black0.5%
Hispanic28.7%
Asian6.3%
Other3.5%
Education (25+)
12.4%
26.4%
52.4%
No HS diploma8.8%
HS diploma12.4%
Some college26.4%
Bachelor's+52.4%
Housing tenure
71.1%
28.9%
Owner71.1%
Renter28.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Half Moon Bay, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$137,346 → $157,884
up 15.0%
Population
11,792 → 11,391
down 3.4%
Renter share
30.7% → 28.9%
-1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
50.4% → 52.4%
+2.0 pts
Median age
44.9 → 47.4
+2.5 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Half Moon Bay

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View Half Moon Bay rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Half Moon Bay on your salary?

At $4,542/mo, how Half Moon Bay rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Half Moon Bay rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Half Moon Bay. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Half Moon Bay

About renting in Half Moon Bay, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Half Moon Bay is $4,542/mo as of July 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Half Moon Bay an affordable city for renters?

Half Moon Bay is considered moderate for renters. At $4,542/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($157,884/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Half Moon Bay slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Half Moon Bay?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $182,000/year (~$88/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $4,542/mo in Half Moon Bay. The local median household income is $157,884/yr, meaning the typical Half Moon Bay household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Half Moon Bay?

Rent in Half Moon Bay has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Half Moon Bay rent compare to other cities in California?

Half Moon Bay is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #22 out of 387 tracked cities at $4,542/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Half Moon Bay?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Half Moon Bay ($4,542/mo): Belmont ($3,346/mo), Millbrae ($3,481/mo), San Mateo ($3,667/mo).

What percentage of Half Moon Bay residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 28.9% of Half Moon Bay households are renters, while 71.1% are owner-occupied. Half Moon Bay leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Half Moon Bay rent compare to the national average?

Half Moon Bay's median rent of $4,542/mo is $2,577 (131%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #22 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $4,542/mo, rent takes ~35% of Half Moon Bay's median household income ($157,884/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Half Moon Bay 35%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Half Moon Bay affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Half Moon Bay, CA

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