How much does it cost to rent in Manhattan Beach, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Manhattan Beach, CA is $6,459. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Manhattan Beach cheaper than other California cities?

Manhattan Beach is one of the pricier cities in California, ranking #7 out of 387 cities tracked at $6,459/mo.

When was Manhattan Beach rent data last updated?

Manhattan Beach rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Manhattan Beach

Name: Average Rent Prices in Manhattan Beach, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 34,210·7th most expensive in California·Manhattan Beach rents are up 9.6% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$6,459/mo

Year-over-Year

+9.6%

Month-over-Month

+6.4%

vs US Median

+$4,494

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Manhattan Beach · $6,459

More expensive than 99% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

27/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 12% above what Manhattan Beach's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$6,459/mo

Expected by trend

$5,794/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Manhattan Beach's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,790

1 BR

$3,120

2 BR

$3,940

3 BR

$5,010

4 BR+

$5,550

Research median

$3,940/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$77,508/yr

At $6,459/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 9.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+9.6% YoY, +6.4% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Manhattan Beach, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 78.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

34,210

Median income

$204,306

Median age

42.8

Renters

35.2%

Age distribution

24.6%

14.6%

29.5%

14.8%

16.5%

Under 1824.6%

18–3414.6%

35–5429.5%

55–6414.8%

65+16.5%

Gender

50.3%

49.7%

Male50.3%

Female49.7%

Race & ethnicity

72.3%

13.3%

White72.3%

Black0.9%

Hispanic7.7%

Asian13.3%

Other5.8%

Education (25+)

14.5%

78.9%

No HS diploma1.5%

HS diploma5.1%

Some college14.5%

Bachelor's+78.9%

Housing tenure

64.8%

35.2%

Owner64.8%

Renter35.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Manhattan Beach, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$4,228 → $6,459

up 52.8%

Income

$169,586 → $204,306

up 20.5%

Population

35,585 → 34,210

down 3.9%

Renter share

32.2% → 35.2%

+3.0 pts

Bachelor's+

77.9% → 78.9%

+1.0 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Manhattan Beach, CA has shifted from $4,228 to $6,459, up 52.8% since 2021. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $169,586 in 2021 to $204,306 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Manhattan Beach, CA losing about 1,375 residents over the five-year window, down 3.9% on net. The renter share has risen from 32.2% to 35.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Manhattan Beach, CA market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Manhattan Beach

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View Manhattan Beach rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Manhattan Beach on your salary?

At $6,459/mo, how Manhattan Beach rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 69.5% income

severely rent-burdened

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 97.9% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 85% income

severely rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 47.6% income

rent-burdened

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 37.2% income

stretched

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 104.6% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 115.8% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 94% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

Manhattan Beach rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Manhattan Beach. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Manhattan Beach

About renting in Manhattan Beach, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Manhattan Beach is $6,459/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,940/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,120/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $5,010/mo.

At 38% of local median household income ($204,306/yr), Manhattan Beach ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Manhattan Beach an affordable city for renters?

Manhattan Beach is considered moderate for renters. At $6,459/mo, rent takes approximately 38% of the local median household income ($204,306/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Manhattan Beach slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Manhattan Beach?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $258,000/year (~$124/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $6,459/mo in Manhattan Beach. The local median household income is $204,306/yr, meaning the typical Manhattan Beach household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Manhattan Beach?

Rent in Manhattan Beach has increased 9.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Manhattan Beach rent compare to other cities in California?

Manhattan Beach is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #7 out of 387 tracked cities at $6,459/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Manhattan Beach?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Manhattan Beach ($6,459/mo): Hawthorne ($2,138/mo), El Segundo ($2,914/mo), Lawndale ($2,950/mo).

What percentage of Manhattan Beach residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.2% of Manhattan Beach households are renters, while 64.8% are owner-occupied. Manhattan Beach leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Manhattan Beach rent compare to the national average?

Manhattan Beach's median rent of $6,459/mo is $4,494 (229%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #7 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

38%

MODERATE

At $6,459/mo, rent takes ~38% of Manhattan Beach's median household income ($204,306/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Manhattan Beach 38%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Manhattan Beach affordability calculator →

Nearby cities