Currently, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Monica ranges from $2,900 to $3,300. It has established itself as a notably high-rent market in the LA area.

In downtown Santa Monica, particularly near the Third Street Promenade or Ocean Avenue along the beach, listings often exceed $3,500.

In contrast, areas inland, such as near Wido Avenue or the eastern boundary of Santa Monica, can see prices drop to the $2,600 range, indicating a gap of about $700 to $800 between beachfront and inland properties. You will likely realize how significantly the ocean view premium affects pricing.

Studios are observed to be priced between $2,400 and $2,700, while 2-bedroom apartments are forming around $4,000.

The gap between 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments is quite significant, so if your budget is tight, it seems more practical to consider a 1-bedroom first.

Looking at the trends over the past year, it is estimated that rents in Santa Monica have gone through a slight adjustment phase. After the pandemic, issues with office vacancies and the exit of some major retailers have stabilized the rapid price increases seen previously, leading to a more gradual trend.

Compared to nearby cities, Santa Monica forms a top-tier price range similar to West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, and is somewhat higher than Culver City or Marina del Rey.

When compared to the average rent of $2,400 for a 1-bedroom in downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica is a premium city with prices about $500 to $900 higher.

If you are inquiring about areas with a high concentration of Korean residents, Culver City or West LA are closer than Santa Monica itself. Considering accessibility to the Korean community within Santa Monica, the eastern part of Santa Monica, near Costana Street or Cloverfield Boulevard, seems to be a relatively reasonable option.

For Korean households, if prioritizing a lifestyle near the beach, it may be wise to choose beachfront living despite the rent burden, but if the budget is limited, reviewing options in eastern Santa Monica or nearby Culver City would be a sensible approach.

The figures mentioned are estimates based on the first half of 2026, so please check the latest market prices before finalizing any contracts.