Apartments for Rent in Santa Monica, CA

216 rental apartments available

Santa Monica is an independently incorporated beach city on LA's Westside, anchored by the Santa Monica Pier, the Third Street Promenade, and Palisades Park's bluff-top views of the Pacific. Unlike Venice or Hollywood, Santa Monica has its own mayor, city council, and police department — and one of the strongest rent control ordinances in California, administered by its own elected Rent Control Board.

Avg. Rent

$9,407/mo

Price Range

$1,995/mo–$45,000/mo

Listings

216

Avg. Bedrooms

2 bed

Available Rentals in Santa Monica, CA

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Source: The MLS™/CLAW

The multiple listings information is provided by The MLS™/CLAW from a copyrighted compilation of listings. The compilation of listings and each individual listing are ©2026 The MLS™/CLAW. All Rights Reserved.

The information provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties that consumers may be interested in purchasing. All properties are subject to prior sale or withdrawal. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate and should be independently verified.

Based on information from The MLS™/CLAW as of 10-01-2026. All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.

Some listings have been excluded from this website.

MLS listings are displayed on Emlakie.com under IDX license. MLS Licenses

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Santa Monica Pier

The pier and its historic Pacific Park amusement rides mark the official end of Route 66 and remain the city's best-known landmark.

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Third Street Promenade

A pedestrian-only outdoor shopping and dining corridor a few blocks from the beach, busy most evenings and weekends year-round.

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Metro E Line

The E Line (Expo) light rail runs directly from Downtown Santa Monica to Downtown LA, giving renters a rare car-optional commute across the Westside.

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Silicon Beach

Google, Snap, and other tech offices cluster along the Santa Monica/Venice border, making the city a common pick for tech commuters who want to walk or bike to work.

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Rent Control

Santa Monica's own Rent Control Board oversees one of the strictest rent stabilization ordinances in California, covering most units built before 1979.

Neighborhoods in Santa Monica

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Renter Tips for Santa Monica

Units built before 1979 typically fall under Santa Monica's Rent Control Board — always ask a landlord to confirm a specific unit's status, since it materially affects how much rent can legally increase year to year. Blocks closest to the Promenade and pier are the busiest and most tourist-heavy; North of Montana and Sunset Park are quieter, more residential options a short drive or E Line ride from the beach. Parking is scarce citywide — confirm a dedicated space is included before signing.

Rental Market in Santa Monica, CA

There are currently 216 rental apartments listed in Santa Monica, CA. The average asking rent is $9,407/mo, with prices ranging from $1,995/mo to $45,000/mo. Apply directly to any listing through EMLAKIE — EMLAKIE adds no broker fee of its own.

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Why landlords list rentals in Santa Monica on Emlakie

Landlords in Santa Monica, CA post their vacancy free and keep 100% of the rent — no commission or listing fee from EMLAKIE, ever. Your listing joins the 216 other rental apartments already live here, with AI-assisted descriptions and reaches renters searching Santa Monica directly. Covers Downtown Santa Monica, Ocean Park, Sunset Park and more. Applicants message you directly through EMLAKIE — no call center, no middleman fee added by EMLAKIE.

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How renters find rentals in Santa Monica

Renters browse 216 apartments in Santa Monica, CA above, filtering by price, bedrooms, and property type. The typical listing here rents for around $9,407/mo. No broker markup, so you contact the landlord directly to ask questions, tour, or apply — usually the same day.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Santa Monica part of Los Angeles?

No. Santa Monica is its own independently incorporated city with its own mayor, city council, and police department — it borders LA but is governed separately.

Does Santa Monica have rent control?

Yes — Santa Monica has one of the strongest rent control ordinances in California, administered by its own elected Rent Control Board. Most units built before 1979 are covered.

Can I get to Downtown LA without a car from Santa Monica?

Yes — the Metro E Line (Expo) light rail runs directly from Downtown Santa Monica to Downtown LA, one of the few true car-optional commutes on the Westside.

How many rentals are available in Santa Monica, CA, and what's the average rent?

There are currently 216 rental apartments listed in Santa Monica, CA on EMLAKIE. The average asking rent is $9,407/mo, with prices ranging from $1,995/mo to $45,000/mo.

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