Rents are 3% below what Pacific Grove's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
Bedroom figures are derived from HUD Fair Market Rents and scaled to match Pacific Grove's market median, because the published HUD values all ran above it. They are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
November. Asking rents in Pacific Grove usually run 0.5% below trend in November and 0.4% above it in July, about $29 a month apart at today's median. Based on 7 years of data.
Rent in Pacific Grove is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2019.
Rent in Pacific Grove changed +6.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent in Pacific Grove is 43.6% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 11 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($106,065) is $2,652 a month. That is less than HUD's Fair Market Rent for a studio ($3,200).
Monterey, 6 miles away, rents for 15% less ($2,696/mo), about $5,800 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Pacific Grove. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Pacific Grove, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 59.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Pacific Grove, CA has changed in 5 years
Since 2021, the typical rent in Pacific Grove, CA has increased from $2,416 to $3,176, a 31.5% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in Pacific Grove, CA now reports about $106,065, up from $92,980 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.4% since 2021, moving from about 15,169 residents to roughly 14,951. Renters now make up 49.6% of households, compared with 53.3% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 59.6% of adults here, versus 55.4% in 2021. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Pacific Grove, CA reflects that arc in its own way.
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Can you afford rent in Pacific Grove on your salary?
At $3,176/mo, how Pacific Grove rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Pacific Grove rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Pacific Grove. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Pacific Grove
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Pacific Grove is $3,176/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,379/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,937/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,439/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,963/mo.
At 36% of local median household income ($106,065/yr), Pacific Grove ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Pacific Grove?
Is rent going up or down in Pacific Grove?
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How does Pacific Grove rent compare to other cities in California?
At $3,176/mo, rent takes ~36% of Pacific Grove's median household income ($106,065/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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