1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Monterey, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Monterey, California as of October 2026. That's +23% lower than the citywide median of $2,696 and +49% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Monterey
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Monterey
Compare Monterey's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $938 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $4,030 |
| 2 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 3 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Monterey.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Monterey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seaside, CA | 4.6 mi | $2,610 | +$537 (+26%) |
| Pacific Grove, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,439 | +$366 (+18%) |
| Marina, CA | 8.6 mi | $2,310 | +$237 (+11%) |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA | 8.7 mi | $2,800 | +$727 (+35%) |
| Salinas, CA | 16.7 mi | $1,930 | $-143 (-7%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 26.3 mi | $2,780 | +$707 (+34%) |
| Capitola, CA | 28.8 mi | $3,270 | +$1,197 (+58%) |
| Aptos, CA | 29.9 mi | $3,600 | +$1,527 (+74%) |
| Soquel, CA | 32.8 mi | $2,132 | +$59 (+3%) |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 33.1 mi | $2,559 | +$486 (+23%) |
| Scotts Valley, CA | 36.1 mi | $3,600 | +$1,527 (+74%) |
| Gilroy, CA | 36.4 mi | $2,430 | +$357 (+17%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Monterey — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Monterey?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Monterey, California is $2,073 per month. This is +23% below the citywide median of $2,696.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Monterey?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $82,920 ($6,910/month gross), which works out to roughly $39.87/hour at a full-time job.
Is Monterey expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Monterey's 1-bedroom median of $2,073 is +49% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 85th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Monterey rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Monterey ranks #163 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Monterey?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Salinas ($1,930).