2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Santa Monica, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Monica, California as of October 2026. That's +5% lower than the citywide median of $3,516 and +101% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-bedroom in Santa Monica
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 Santa Monica
Compare Santa Monica's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $1,171 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | California City | $1,230 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,370 |
| 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 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 2 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 3 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 4 | Montecito | $4,540 |
| 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? 4 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Santa Monica.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Santa Monica |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina del Rey, CA | 3.9 mi | $3,940 | +$612 (+18%) |
| Culver City, CA | 6.6 mi | $3,390 | +$62 (+2%) |
| Beverly Hills, CA | 7 mi | $3,767 | +$439 (+13%) |
| West Hollywood, CA | 8.7 mi | $3,660 | +$332 (+10%) |
| El Segundo, CA | 9.3 mi | $3,490 | +$162 (+5%) |
| View Park-Windsor Hills, CA | 9.6 mi | $2,206 | $-1,122 (-34%) |
| Topanga, CA | 10.7 mi | $3,940 | +$612 (+18%) |
| Inglewood, CA | 10.8 mi | $2,416 | $-912 (-27%) |
| Manhattan Beach, CA | 10.9 mi | $3,940 | +$612 (+18%) |
| Hawthorne, CA | 12.1 mi | $2,340 | $-988 (-30%) |
| Hermosa Beach, CA | 12.5 mi | $3,820 | +$492 (+15%) |
| Lawndale, CA | 13.2 mi | $2,500 | $-828 (-25%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Santa Monica — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Monica?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Santa Monica, California is $3,328 per month. This is +5% below the citywide median of $3,516.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Santa Monica?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $133,120 ($11,093/month gross), which works out to roughly $64.00/hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Monica expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Santa Monica's 2-bedroom median of $3,328 is +101% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Santa Monica rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Santa Monica ranks #302 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Santa Monica?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include View Park-Windsor Hills ($2,206), Inglewood ($2,416), Hawthorne ($2,340).