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City Report · CA

Pacifica

Pop. 37,261·76th most expensive in California·Pacifica rents are up 12.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,584/mo
Year-over-Year
+12.1%
Month-over-Month
-2.0%
vs US Median
+$1,619
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Pacifica · $3,584
More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
34/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% above what Pacifica's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$3,584/mo
Expected by trend
$3,315/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Pacifica's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,270
1 BR
$2,770
2 BR
$3,310
3 BR
$4,130
4 BR+
$4,390
Research median
$3,310/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$43,008/yr
At $3,584/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 12.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+12.1% YoY, -2.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Pacifica, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 48.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
37,261
Median income
$160,523
Median age
44.6
Renters
32.3%
Age distribution
18.2%
16.9%
30.3%
14.2%
20.4%
Under 1818.2%
18–3416.9%
35–5430.3%
55–6414.2%
65+20.4%
Gender
50%
50%
Male50%
Female50%
Race & ethnicity
52%
19.6%
22.2%
White52%
Black1.2%
Hispanic19.6%
Asian22.2%
Other5%
Education (25+)
16.6%
29.9%
48.9%
No HS diploma4.6%
HS diploma16.6%
Some college29.9%
Bachelor's+48.9%
Housing tenure
67.7%
32.3%
Owner67.7%
Renter32.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Pacifica, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,884 → $3,584
up 24.3%
Income
$138,548 → $160,523
up 15.9%
Population
38,595 → 37,261
down 3.5%
Renter share
31.2% → 32.3%
+1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
47.2% → 48.9%
+1.7 pts
Median age
43.4 → 44.6
+1.2 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Pacifica, CA has increased from $2,884 to $3,584, a 24.3% change over five years. Median household income rose from $138,548 to $160,523 between 2021 and 2024, a 15.9% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 3.5% since 2021, moving from about 38,595 residents to roughly 37,261. Taken together, the five-year picture in Pacifica, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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View Pacifica rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Pacifica on your salary?

At $3,584/mo, how Pacifica rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Pacifica rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Pacifica

About renting in Pacifica, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Pacifica is $3,584/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,270/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,310/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,770/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,130/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($160,523/yr), Pacifica ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Pacifica an affordable city for renters?

Pacifica is considered affordable for renters. At $3,584/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($160,523/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Pacifica falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Pacifica?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $143,000/year (~$69/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,584/mo in Pacifica. The local median household income is $160,523/yr, meaning the typical Pacifica household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Pacifica?

Rent in Pacifica has increased 12.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Pacifica rent compare to other cities in California?

Pacifica is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #76 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,584/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Pacifica?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Pacifica ($3,584/mo): Daly City ($2,706/mo), San Bruno ($3,260/mo), Millbrae ($3,481/mo).

What percentage of Pacifica residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.3% of Pacifica households are renters, while 67.7% are owner-occupied. Pacifica leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Pacifica rent compare to the national average?

Pacifica's median rent of $3,584/mo is $1,619 (82%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #76 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $3,584/mo, rent takes ~27% of Pacifica's median household income ($160,523/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Pacifica 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Pacifica affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Pacifica
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Pacifica, CA

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