salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 9.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (69%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $120,280 a year. That is $58 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 499 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Imperial Beach?
Share of households by yearly income. 30.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Imperial Beach
| Size | Imperial Beach | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,808 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,851 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,182 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,686 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,574 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Imperial Beach
Life in Imperial Beach
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Imperial Beach?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,939 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $857,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $85,700 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Imperial Beach, CA?
Renting in Imperial Beach costs a median of about $3,007 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Imperial Beach?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $120,280 a year, or $58 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Imperial Beach cheap or expensive?
Imperial Beach is rated Expensive: rent takes 38.9% of the typical household income of $92,871. It ranks 499th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Imperial Beach?
The median homeowner in Imperial Beach pays $4,745 a year in property taxes, about 0.55% of the median home value.
Is Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach?
The median home value in Imperial Beach is $857,000, about 9.2 times the typical yearly household income.
25,764 people live in Imperial Beach. Numbers are typical (middle) values.