How much does it cost to rent in Solana Beach, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Solana Beach, CA is $5,244. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Solana Beach cheaper than other California cities?

Solana Beach is one of the pricier cities in California, ranking #17 out of 387 cities tracked at $5,244/mo.

When was Solana Beach rent data last updated?

Solana Beach rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Solana Beach

Name: Average Rent Prices in Solana Beach, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 12,823·17th most expensive in California·Solana Beach rents are up 47.0% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$5,244/mo

Year-over-Year

+47.0%

Month-over-Month

-2.7%

vs US Median

+$3,279

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Solana Beach · $5,244

More expensive than 99% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

41% of income

STRETCHED

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $5,244/mo, rent takes about 41% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$210,000/yr

Local median income

$152,167/yr

Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Solana Beach's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,970

1 BR

$3,220

2 BR

$3,990

3 BR

$5,330

4 BR+

$6,500

Research median

$3,990/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

$62,928/yr

At $5,244/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 47.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+47.0% YoY, -2.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Solana Beach, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 72.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

12,823

Median income

$152,167

Median age

50.1

Renters

32.3%

Age distribution

18.3%

13.3%

26.1%

15.7%

26.7%

Under 1818.3%

18–3413.3%

35–5426.1%

55–6415.7%

65+26.7%

Gender

49.5%

50.5%

Male49.5%

Female50.5%

Race & ethnicity

77.4%

14%

White77.4%

Black0.9%

Hispanic14%

Asian5%

Other2.8%

Education (25+)

16.6%

72.3%

No HS diploma2.5%

HS diploma8.6%

Some college16.6%

Bachelor's+72.3%

Housing tenure

67.7%

32.3%

Owner67.7%

Renter32.3%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Solana Beach, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$4,314 → $5,244

up 21.6%

Income

$113,903 → $152,167

up 33.6%

Population

13,025 → 12,823

down 1.6%

Renter share

34.3% → 32.3%

-2.0 pts

Bachelor's+

69.2% → 72.3%

+3.1 pts

Median age

46.4 → 50.1

+3.7 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Solana Beach, CA has shifted from $4,314 to $5,244, up 21.6% since 2022. Household income in the area moved from $113,903 to $152,167 across the same window, up 33.6% versus 2021. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Solana Beach, CA losing about 202 residents over the five-year window, down 1.6% on net. The renter share has eased from 34.3% to 32.3%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 69.2% to 72.3% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Solana Beach, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Solana Beach

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View Solana Beach rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Solana Beach on your salary?

At $5,244/mo, how Solana Beach rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 56.4% income

severely rent-burdened

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 79.5% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 69% income

severely rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 38.6% income

stretched

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 30.2% income

stretched

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 84.9% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 94% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 76.3% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

Solana Beach rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Solana Beach

About renting in Solana Beach, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Solana Beach is $5,244/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,970/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,990/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,220/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $5,330/mo.

At 41% of local median household income ($152,167/yr), Solana Beach ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 47.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Solana Beach an affordable city for renters?

Solana Beach is considered stretched for renters. At $5,244/mo, rent takes approximately 41% of the local median household income ($152,167/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Solana Beach significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Solana Beach?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $210,000/year (~$101/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $5,244/mo in Solana Beach. The local median household income is $152,167/yr, meaning the typical Solana Beach household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Solana Beach?

Rent in Solana Beach has increased 47.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Solana Beach rent compare to other cities in California?

Solana Beach is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #17 out of 387 tracked cities at $5,244/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Solana Beach?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Solana Beach ($5,244/mo): Vista ($2,682/mo), San Marcos ($3,258/mo), Carlsbad ($3,560/mo).

What percentage of Solana Beach residents rent vs. own?

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

How does Solana Beach rent compare to the national average?

Solana Beach's median rent of $5,244/mo is $3,279 (167%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #17 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

41%

STRETCHED

At $5,244/mo, rent takes ~41% of Solana Beach's median household income ($152,167/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Solana Beach 41%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Solana Beach affordability calculator →

Nearby cities