Monterey, California
Among the top 4% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade F, better than 4% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade A+, better than 96% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 36% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A+, better than 96% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade A, better than 94% of US places
- top 1% for walkability
- top 1% for comfortable days
- bottom 1% for cost of living
Monterey is a mid-size city in California with about 30,000 residents. It grades A+ for getting around and F for affordability. Standout strengths include walkability, comfortable days, and park & nature access. It rates lower on estimated total tax burden and cost of living.
Official websitemonterey.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Mild summers · Cool winters · Dry
cool
comfortable
cool
82%54%clearovercast
Precipitation 3.3 in0.1 in
dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$98k84th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$106kbetter than 1% of US places
Home Value$929k98th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$2kbetter than 4% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$3kbetter than 6% of US places
Property Tax Rate0.60%better than 81% of US places
Income Tax13.30%better than 3% of US places
Sales Tax8.85%better than 19% of US places
Estimated total tax burden21.95%better than 2% of US places
Unemployment4.9%better than 40% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)52°F92nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)62°F2nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation17.1 in10th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall0.0 inbetter than 94% of US places
Sunny Days231 daysbetter than 46% of US places
Summer Humidity53°Fbetter than 86% of US places
Comfortable Days199 daysbetter than 99% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk73.2better than 38% of US places
Air Quality33 AQIbetter than 88% of US places
School Quality70.7better than 66% of US places
Violent Crime1555/100kbetter than 15% of US places
Property Crime2272/100kbetter than 14% of US places
Community
Population30,00795th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age36.830th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.5083rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0260th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+622nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)64.6%26th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)3.3%72nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)19.3%85th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)7.7%94th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)5.1%71st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time19 minbetter than 89% of US places
Walkability15.4/20better than 99% of US places
Airport Distance53 mibetter than 66% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access93.1%better than 76% of US places
Amenities Nearby148.30better than 63% of US places
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 95% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Monterey an affordable place to live?
- Monterey is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $106k, better than 0% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Monterey?
- The median home value in Monterey is $929k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Monterey?
- Median household income in Monterey is $98k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Monterey?
- Median gross rent in Monterey is $2k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Monterey safe?
- Monterey is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1555/100k (better than 15%). Property crime is 2272/100k.
- What is the weather like in Monterey?
- Monterey averages 62°F in July and 52°F in January, with 17.1 in of annual precipitation and about 231 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Monterey?
- Public-school quality in Monterey is above average, scoring better than 66% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Monterey?
- The average one-way commute in Monterey is 19 min.
Other places in Santa Cruz County
Places near Monterey
Compare Monterey
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)