Housing
Home prices and rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Median home values, rents and incomes from the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with California and the U.S.
Census geography: Carmel-by-the-Sea city, California. These survey estimates are not current listing prices.
Carmel-by-the-Sea vs. California and the U.S.
| Carmel-by-the-Sea | California | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $734,700 | $332,700 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $2,707 | $2,036 | $1,413 |
| Median household income | $129,250 | $99,122 | $80,734 |
| Homes owned by occupants | 60% | 56% | 65% |
| Median year built | 1950 | 1976 | 1980 |
Ten years of change
| 2014 | 2019 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $1,000,000+ | $1,550,600 | $2,000,000+ |
| Median rent (monthly) | $1,597 | $2,209 | $2,707 |
| Median household income | $62,460 | $98,188 | $129,250 |
Fair Market Rents (HUD, fiscal year 2027)
Salinas, CA MSA · Monterey County. HUD's payment benchmarks for housing programs: typical gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a recent mover, not a listing or an asking rent.
Large figures are the metro-area Fair Market Rent.
Income limits (HUD, fiscal year 2026)
Area median family income: $110,500. Households at or under these incomes can qualify for many housing programs; check each program's own rules.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low income (80%) | $87,600 | $100,100 | $112,600 | $125,100 | $135,150 | $145,150 | $155,150 | $165,150 |
| Very low income (50%) | $54,750 | $62,600 | $70,400 | $78,200 | $84,500 | $90,750 | $97,000 | $103,250 |
| Extremely low income (30%) | $32,850 | $37,550 | $42,250 | $46,900 | $50,700 | $54,450 | $58,200 | $61,950 |
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents and Income Limits, checked October 9, 2026.
Questions
What is the median home value in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
$2,000,000+, according to the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey (5-year estimates), compared with $734,700 in California and $332,700 nationally.
How much is rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,707 a month, versus $2,036 statewide.
What is fair market rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
HUD's fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rent for the Salinas, CA MSA is $1,956 for a studio, $2,009 for one bedroom and $2,416 for two bedrooms. These are HUD program benchmarks, not asking rents.
Are these current market prices?
No. They are survey medians from the Census Bureau, based on a five-year survey period, so they lag today’s listings. They are the most consistent way to compare places and track change over time.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2014, 2019, 2024), Carmel-by-the-Sea city, California. Values are estimates with margins of error.