Rents are 16% above what Manhattan Beach's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
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 $6,756 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: August 17, 2026
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Manhattan Beach, CA has changed in 5 years
Across the past five years, the going rent in Manhattan Beach, CA has shifted from $4,228 to $6,756, up 59.8% 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.
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Can you afford rent in Manhattan Beach on your salary?
At $6,756/mo, how Manhattan Beach rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Manhattan Beach rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Manhattan Beach. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Manhattan Beach
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Manhattan Beach is $6,756/mo as of August 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 40% of local median household income ($204,306/yr), Manhattan Beach ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 15.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Manhattan Beach an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Manhattan Beach?
Is rent going up or down in Manhattan Beach?
How does Manhattan Beach rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Manhattan Beach?
What percentage of Manhattan Beach residents rent vs. own?
How does Manhattan Beach rent compare to the national average?
At $6,756/mo, rent takes ~40% of Manhattan Beach's median household income ($204,306/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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