What it's like to live in Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove is a small city in California with household incomes running above the national average, crime rates well below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and air quality that stays clean most of the year. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Pacific Grove deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, county unemployment above the national average, and larger class sizes than the national average.
The good
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Clean air
- Highly educated workforce
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- Above-average unemployment in the county
- High student-teacher ratio
- High rent burden for renters
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
How Pacific Grove compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Pacific Grove
Based on Pacific Grove's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$4,910
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $98,200 a year
- 56% of Pacific Grove renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$238,080
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $119,040
- Homes cost 11.2× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 74% above US
$2,455/mo median rent
Rent is expensive here, at $2,455 a month median and well above the national average. This is the kind of city where housing costs deserve serious budgeting before committing to a move. Home prices are steep, with a median around $1,190,400. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.
Median home value $1,190,400 · 56% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
7.9% county unemployment
Unemployment in Monterey County is 7.9%, well above the national average of 4.3%. Moving with a job already lined up matters more here. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Monterey County (county-wide)
Safety▼ 67% below US
108 violent crimes per 100k
Safety is genuinely one of the selling points here. Both violent and property crime run well below the national average, the kind of numbers that fade into the background after a week of living somewhere.
Property crime 771/100k · Pacific Grove Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 15% below US
22 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 22.1 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 7 in 10 workers drive to work; 22% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are comfortable, with highs around 67°F, and winters are mild, with lows rarely dropping below 45°F.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▲ 66% above US
60% bachelor's degree or higher
This is a highly educated city, with over half the adult population holding a college degree. That tends to shape the job market and the broader culture, and it's a solid indicator of a strong professional scene.
Schools
6 public schools inside the boundary
There are 6 public schools inside the boundary. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18:1, slightly above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Pinnacles National Park (42 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Pacific Grove's strongest points are household incomes running above the national average and crime rates well below the national average; the main tradeoffs are rent well above the national average and home prices well above the national average. A year of median rent ($2,455/mo) equals 28% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit anyone prioritizing low crime, remote workers (22% of workers here already work from home), and college-educated professionals. It may be a harder fit for renters on a tight budget and anyone moving without a job lined up.
See all the data for Pacific Grove →·All California cities →
Other places near Pacific Grove
All California guides →Moving to Monterey →
3 mi away · pop. 29,613
Rent $2,353/mo · Income $102,846
Compare with Pacific Grove →Moving to Seaside →
6 mi away · pop. 31,814
Rent $2,409/mo · Income $85,311
Compare with Pacific Grove →Moving to Marina →
9 mi away · pop. 22,563
Rent $2,101/mo · Income $95,955
Compare with Pacific Grove →Moving to Salinas →
17 mi away · pop. 161,761
Rent $1,991/mo · Income $91,908
Compare with Pacific Grove →Not sure Pacific Grove is the one?
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