2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Monterey, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Monterey, California as of July 2026. That's +8% lower than the citywide median of $2,822 and +58% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Monterey.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Monterey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seaside, CA | 4.6 mi | $3,140 | +$530 (+20%) |
| Pacific Grove, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,644 | +$34 (+1%) |
| Marina, CA | 8.6 mi | $2,780 | +$170 (+7%) |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA | 8.7 mi | $3,370 | +$760 (+29%) |
| Salinas, CA | 16.7 mi | $2,301 | $-309 (-12%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 26.3 mi | $3,650 | +$1,040 (+40%) |
| Capitola, CA | 28.8 mi | $4,290 | +$1,680 (+64%) |
| Aptos, CA | 29.9 mi | $4,720 | +$2,110 (+81%) |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 33.1 mi | $4,865 | +$2,255 (+86%) |
| Scotts Valley, CA | 36.1 mi | $4,720 | +$2,110 (+81%) |
| Gilroy, CA | 36.4 mi | $2,820 | +$210 (+8%) |
| Hollister, CA | 40.7 mi | $2,820 | +$210 (+8%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Monterey — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Monterey?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Monterey, California is $2,610 per month. This is +8% below the citywide median of $2,822.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Monterey?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $104,400 ($8,700/month gross), which works out to roughly $50.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is Monterey expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Monterey's 2-bedroom median of $2,610 is +58% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 88th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Monterey rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Monterey ranks #168 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Monterey?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Salinas ($2,301).