salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 94% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.2 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 $121,120 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 507 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Pacifica?
Share of households by yearly income. 59.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Pacifica
| Size | Pacifica | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,865 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,930 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,310 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Pacifica 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 Pacifica, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Pacifica
Life in Pacifica
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Pacifica?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $5,644 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,249,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $124,980 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Pacifica, CA?
Renting in Pacifica costs a median of about $3,028 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Pacifica?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $121,120 a year, or $58 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Pacifica cheap or expensive?
Pacifica is rated OK: rent takes 21.0% of the typical household income of $173,124. It ranks 507th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Pacifica?
The median homeowner in Pacifica pays $7,933 a year in property taxes, about 0.63% of the median home value.
Is Pacifica 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 Pacifica?
The median home value in Pacifica is $1,249,800, about 7.2 times the typical yearly household income.
37,261 people live in Pacifica. Numbers are typical (middle) values.