ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 90740

Part of Seal Beach, CA

Pop. 24,254·Orange County·391st most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$2,892/mo

Year-over-Year

-4.2%

Month-over-Month

-1.4%

vs US Median

+$960

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 90740 · $2,892

More expensive than 89% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,730

1 BR

$2,790

2 BR

$3,290

3 BR

$4,470

4 BR+

$5,330

Research median

$3,290/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 90740 is 5.5% below its high of $3,060 in November 2025, at $2,892 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in ZIP 90740 changed -4.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.2%.

Recent direction

Rent has fallen 4 months in a row, and rose in 5 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($85,347) is $2,134 a month. That is less than HUD's Fair Market Rent for a studio ($2,730).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 90803, 3 miles away, rents for 12% less ($2,538/mo), about $4,200 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 90740. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$34,704/yr

At $2,892/mo median

Location

CitySeal Beach

StateCA

CountyOrange County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 4.2% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-4.2% YoY, -1.4% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 90740 (Seal Beach, CA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 51.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

24,254

Median income

$85,347

Median age

61.6

Renters

23.1%

Age distribution

13%

12.3%

16.3%

14.4%

44.1%

Under 1813%

18–3412.3%

35–5416.3%

55–6414.4%

65+44.1%

Gender

44.7%

55.3%

Male44.7%

Female55.3%

Race & ethnicity

68.4%

14.1%

14.2%

White68.4%

Black1.2%

Hispanic14.1%

Asian14.2%

Other2.1%

Education (25+)

15.1%

28.5%

51.4%

No HS diploma5%

HS diploma15.1%

Some college28.5%

Bachelor's+51.4%

Housing tenure

76.9%

23.1%

Owner76.9%

Renter23.1%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 90740 in Seal Beach, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,655 → $2,892

up 8.9%

Income

$75,019 → $85,347

up 13.8%

Population

24,721 → 24,254

down 1.9%

Renter share

23.4% → 23.1%

-0.3 pts

Bachelor's+

49.7% → 51.4%

+1.7 pts

Median age

59.4 → 61.6

+2.2 yrs

Since 2023, the typical rent in ZIP 90740 in Seal Beach, CA has increased from $2,655 to $2,892, a 8.9% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 90740 in Seal Beach, CA now reports about $85,347, up from $75,019 in 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has contracted by 1.9% since 2021, moving from about 24,721 residents to roughly 24,254. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 90740 in Seal Beach, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

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About renting in ZIP 90740

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 90740 covers Seal Beach, CA. The median rent here is $2,892/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,790/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,290/mo.

At 41% of local median household income ($85,347/yr), ZIP 90740 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 4.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 90740?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $116,000/year (about $56/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,892/mo in ZIP 90740. The local median household income is $85,347/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 90740?

Rent in ZIP 90740 has fallen 4.2% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 5.5% below its high of $3,060 in November 2025.

How does ZIP 90740 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 90740 is in the middle among California ZIP codes for rent, ranking #391 of 898 at $2,892/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 90740 changed -4.2%, against a typical +3.2% across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks.