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City Report · CA

Solvang

Pop. 6,034·20th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$4,900/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+46.3%
vs US Median
+$2,935
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Solvang · $4,900
More expensive than 99% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
54% of income
EXPENSIVE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $4,900/mo, rent takes about 54% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$196,000/yr
Local median income
$109,091/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Solvang's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,100
1 BR
$2,390
2 BR
$2,700
3 BR
$3,600
4 BR+
$4,080
Research median
$2,700/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
$58,800/yr
At $4,900/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +46.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Solvang, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 38.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
6,034
Median income
$109,091
Median age
54.2
Renters
43%
Age distribution
13.4%
15.4%
22.5%
15.2%
33.4%
Under 1813.4%
18–3415.4%
35–5422.5%
55–6415.2%
65+33.4%
Gender
45.2%
54.8%
Male45.2%
Female54.8%
Race & ethnicity
65%
25.4%
White65%
Black2.7%
Hispanic25.4%
Asian2.9%
Other4%
Education (25+)
17%
36%
38.2%
No HS diploma8.8%
HS diploma17%
Some college36%
Bachelor's+38.2%
Housing tenure
57%
43%
Owner57%
Renter43%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Solvang, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$94,451 → $109,091
up 15.5%
Population
6,032 → 6,034
up 0.0%
Renter share
41.8% → 43%
+1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
39.7% → 38.2%
-1.5 pts
Median age
51 → 54.2
+3.2 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $94,451 to $109,091 across the same window, up 15.5% versus 2021.

Community

Discussions about Solvang

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

Can you afford rent in Solvang on your salary?

At $4,900/mo, how Solvang rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Solvang rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Solvang

About renting in Solvang, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Solvang is $4,900/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,100/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,700/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,390/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,600/mo.

At 54% of local median household income ($109,091/yr), Solvang ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Solvang an affordable city for renters?

Solvang is considered expensive for renters. At $4,900/mo, rent takes approximately 54% of the local median household income ($109,091/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Solvang significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Solvang?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $196,000/year (~$94/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $4,900/mo in Solvang. The local median household income is $109,091/yr, meaning the typical Solvang household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Solvang?

Rent in Solvang has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Solvang rent compare to other cities in California?

Solvang is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #20 out of 387 tracked cities at $4,900/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Solvang?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Solvang ($4,900/mo): Lompoc ($2,254/mo), Santa Maria ($2,520/mo), Isla Vista ($3,417/mo).

What percentage of Solvang residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43% of Solvang households are renters, while 57% are owner-occupied. Solvang leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Solvang rent compare to the national average?

Solvang's median rent of $4,900/mo is $2,935 (149%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #20 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
54%
EXPENSIVE

At $4,900/mo, rent takes ~54% of Solvang's median household income ($109,091/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Solvang 54%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Solvang affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Solvang, CA

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