salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 92% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 12.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. It is a highly educated city: 72.3% of adults have a college degree.
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 608 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Solana Beach?
Share of households by yearly income. 55.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Solana Beach
| Size | Solana Beach | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,522 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,800 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,680 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Solana 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 Solana Beach, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Solana Beach
Life in Solana Beach
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Solana Beach?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $10,376 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $2,000,000+ home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $200,000 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Solana Beach, CA?
Renting in Solana Beach 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 Solana Beach?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $140,040 a year, or $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Solana Beach cheap or expensive?
Solana Beach is rated OK: rent takes 25.6% of the typical household income of $164,112. It ranks 608th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Solana Beach?
The median homeowner in Solana Beach pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.50% of the median home value.
Is Solana 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 Solana Beach?
The median home value in Solana Beach is $2,000,000+, about 12.2 times the typical yearly household income.
12,823 people live in Solana Beach. Numbers are typical (middle) values.