salaryRent is higher than in 85% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $99,720 a year. That is $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 381 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Carson?
Share of households by yearly income. 42.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Carson
| Size | Carson | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,655 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,460 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,827 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,465 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,306 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Carson overall?
Everyday prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area are 14% above the U.S. average (index 113.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Carson
Life in Carson
What jobs pay in Carson
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $194,410 | 15.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $161,890 | 18.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $161,470 | 18.5% |
| Software Developer | $160,920 | 18.6% |
| Pharmacist | $157,440 | 19.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $135,560 | 22.1% |
| Operations Manager | $125,830 | 23.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $122,980 | 24.3% |
| Police Officer | $121,980 | 24.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $121,560 | 24.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $108,640 | 27.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | 29.4% |
| Firefighter | $98,050 | 30.5% |
| Accountant | $94,360 | 31.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $82,990 | 36.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,310 | 37.7% |
| Carpenter | $75,740 | 39.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $73,830 | 40.5% |
| Electrician | $73,810 | 40.5% |
| Plumber | $71,110 | 42.1% |
| Truck Driver | $60,340 | 49.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,840 | 61.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,760 | 62.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,380 | 63.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,460 | 67.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,390 | 70.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,700 | 79.4% |
| Cashier | $36,980 | 80.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,850 | 83.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Carson?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,395 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $704,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $70,440 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Carson, CA?
Renting in Carson costs a median of about $2,493 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Carson?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $99,720 a year, or $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Carson cheap or expensive?
Carson is rated OK: rent takes 25.5% of the typical household income of $117,236. It ranks 381st cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Carson?
The median homeowner in Carson pays $4,361 a year in property taxes, about 0.62% of the median home value.
Is Carson more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Carson?
The median home value in Carson is $704,400, about 6.0 times the typical yearly household income.
92,871 people live in Carson. Numbers are typical (middle) values.