Can A Financial Analyst Afford Rent in Santa Monica, CA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.6% of gross income.
Santa Monica rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).
About rent and a financial analyst salary
Financial analyst pay covers comfortable rent in most US cities. At the national-average financial-analyst salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,584 a month in rent, which is above the median in nearly every metro tracked here.
Cheaper rent nearby
These California cities have lower median rent than Santa Monica, which improves the affordability math on a financial analyst salary:
Compare with full rent data for Santa Monica
View full rent data for Santa Monica, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a financial analyst afford rent in Santa Monica, CA?
Median rent in Santa Monica is $3,517 a month. A typical financial analyst in California earns about $121,941 a year, which makes that rent 34.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a financial analyst afford in Santa Monica?
Using the 30% rule, a financial analyst salary in California (~$121,941/yr) supports up to $3,049 a month in rent. Santa Monica's current median rent is $3,517/mo, which is $468/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a financial analyst work to cover rent in Santa Monica?
At an hourly equivalent of about $59 an hour, a financial analyst in California works roughly 60 hours a month to cover Santa Monica's median rent of $3,517.
Where is rent cheaper than Santa Monica for a financial analyst?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Granite Bay ($3,516/mo), Marina ($3,513/mo), Morgan Hill ($3,512/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a financial analyst salary.