What it's like to live in Seaside
Seaside is a small city in California with 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. Seaside deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, crime rates above the national average, and larger class sizes than the national average.
The good
- Short commutes
- Clean air
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- Crime above national average
- High student-teacher ratio
- High rent burden for renters
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
How Seaside compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Seaside
Based on Seaside's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$4,818
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $96,360 a year
- 63% of Seaside renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$157,420
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $78,710
- Homes cost 9.2× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 70% above US
$2,409/mo median rent
Rent is expensive here, at $2,409 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 $787,100. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.
Median home value $787,100 · 63% of renters cost-burdened
Job marketNear US average
3.9% unemployment
Unemployment here is 3.9%, close to the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 64% above US
540 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is worth weighing seriously here. Rates run above the national average, and while plenty of residents live comfortably, neighborhood selection matters a lot more than it does in a safer city.
Property crime 702/100k · Seaside Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 19% below US
21 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 21 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 8% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are comfortable, with highs around 69°F, and winters are mild, with lows rarely dropping below 44°F. It's a dry climate with limited rainfall.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▼ 18% below US
30% bachelor's degree or higher
College degree attainment runs below average at 30%. That tends to reflect a more trade and working-class economy, which can be great or limiting depending on the industry.
Schools
12 public schools inside the boundary
There are 12 public schools inside the boundary and 3 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 20:1, slightly above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Pinnacles National Park (37 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Seaside's strongest points are commutes that run shorter than most cities and air quality that stays clean most of the year; the main tradeoffs are rent well above the national average and home prices well above the national average. A year of median rent ($2,409/mo) equals 34% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for renters on a tight budget and anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Seaside
All California guides →Not sure Seaside is the one?
Put it side by side with another city.