RentDataNowRentDataNow
ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 90401

Pop. 8,101·Los Angeles County·128th most expensive ZIP in California
Median rent (all units)
$3,777/mo
Year-over-Year
-0.2%
Month-over-Month
-1.4%
vs US Median
+$1,812
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss 90401 rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 90401 · $3,777
More expensive than 97% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,660
1 BR
$2,980
2 BR
$3,720
3 BR
$4,720
4 BR+
$5,250
Research median
$3,720/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$45,324/yr
At $3,777/mo median
Location
StateCA
CountyLos Angeles County
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.2% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-0.2% YoY, -1.4% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 90401 (Santa Monica, CA) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 77.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,101
Median income
$110,385
Median age
36.9
Renters
94.8%
Age distribution
39.8%
32.9%
12.5%
Under 185.4%
18–3439.8%
35–5432.9%
55–649.3%
65+12.5%
Gender
49.1%
50.9%
Male49.1%
Female50.9%
Race & ethnicity
67.8%
12.2%
White67.8%
Black3.8%
Hispanic12.2%
Asian10%
Other6.3%
Education (25+)
13.6%
77.3%
No HS diploma3%
HS diploma6.1%
Some college13.6%
Bachelor's+77.3%
Housing tenure
94.8%
Owner5.2%
Renter94.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 90401 in Santa Monica, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$3,155 → $3,777
up 19.7%
Income
$90,682 → $110,385
up 21.7%
Population
7,482 → 8,101
up 8.3%
Renter share
94% → 94.8%
+0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
71% → 77.3%
+6.3 pts

Since 2021, the typical rent in ZIP 90401 in Santa Monica, CA has increased from $3,155 to $3,777, a 19.7% change over five years. Median household income rose from $90,682 to $110,385 between 2021 and 2024, a 21.7% shift. The population has grown by 8.3% since 2021, moving from about 7,482 residents to roughly 8,101. College-educated residents now make up 77.3% of adults here, versus 71% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 90401 in Santa Monica, 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

Discussions about ZIP 90401

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 90401

About renting in ZIP 90401

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 90401 covers Santa Monica, CA. The median rent here is $3,777/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,980/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,720/mo.

At 41% of local median household income ($110,385/yr), ZIP 90401 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 90401?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 90401 (Santa Monica, CA) is $3,777. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 90401 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 90401's median rent of $3,777/mo is $1,812 (92%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 90401 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 90401 is one of the pricier ZIP codes in California, ranking #128 out of 907 ZIPs tracked at $3,777/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 90401?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $151,000/year (~$73/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,777/mo in ZIP 90401. The local median household income is $110,385/yr, meaning the typical household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 90401?

Rent in ZIP 90401 has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.2% change year over year as of July 20, 2026.

Is ZIP 90401 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 90401 is considered stretched for renters. At $3,777/mo, rent takes approximately 41% of the local median household income ($110,385/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 90401 significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

What percentage of ZIP 90401 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 94.8% of ZIP 90401 households are renters, while 5.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 90401 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 90401 compare to the rest of Santa Monica?

ZIP 90401 is pricier than Santa Monica as a whole. At $3,777/mo, it's $260 above the Santa Monica citywide median of $3,517/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 90401 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 90401 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
41%
STRETCHED

At $3,777/mo, rent takes ~41% of ZIP 90401's median household income ($110,385/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 90401 41%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 90401 (Santa Monica, CA)

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for this ZIP.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.