salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 93% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 9.1 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 $140,040 a year. That is $67 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 613 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Half Moon Bay?
Share of households by yearly income. 61.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Half Moon Bay
| Size | Half Moon Bay | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $2,325 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,589 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Half Moon Bay overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Half Moon Bay, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Half Moon Bay
Life in Half Moon Bay
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Half Moon Bay?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $7,250 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,549,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $154,950 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Half Moon Bay, CA?
Renting in Half Moon Bay costs a median of about $3,500+ a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Half Moon Bay?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $140,040 a year, or $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Half Moon Bay cheap or expensive?
Half Moon Bay is rated OK: rent takes 24.7% of the typical household income of $170,278. It ranks 613th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Half Moon Bay?
The median homeowner in Half Moon Bay pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.65% of the median home value.
Is Half Moon Bay more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Half Moon Bay?
The median home value in Half Moon Bay is $1,549,500, about 9.1 times the typical yearly household income.
11,391 people live in Half Moon Bay. Numbers are typical (middle) values.