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Moving to
Solana Beach.
The Census tops out at $2,000,000+ for home value; it doesn't publish exact figures above that.
What it's like to live in Solana Beach
Solana Beach 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 a highly educated workforce. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Solana Beach deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, air quality that falls short of national benchmarks, and larger class sizes than the national average.
The good
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- Air quality concerns
- High student-teacher ratio
How Solana Beach compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
The Census tops out at $2,000,000+ for home value; it doesn't publish exact figures above that.
What it takes to move to Solana Beach
Based on Solana Beach's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$6,424
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $128,480 a year
- 49% of Solana Beach renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$400,000
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $200,000
- Homes cost 13.1× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 127% above US
$3,212/mo median rent
Rent is expensive here, at $3,212 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 $2,000,000+. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.
Median home value $2,000,000+ · 49% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
4.6% county unemployment
Unemployment in San Diego County is 4.6%, close to the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
San Diego County (county-wide)
Safety▼ 69% below US
111 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 1183/100k · Solana Beach Police Department · 2024 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. 6 in 10 workers drive to work; 31% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are comfortable, with highs around 73°F, and winters are mild, with lows rarely dropping below 48°F. It's a dry climate with limited rainfall.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▲ 101% above US
72% 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
3 public schools inside the boundary
There are 3 public schools inside the boundary and 3 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 23:1, above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Cabrillo National Monument (22 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Solana Beach'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 ($3,212/mo) equals 25% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit anyone prioritizing low crime, remote workers (31% of workers here already work from home), and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for renters on a tight budget.
Other places near Solana Beach
All California guides →Moving to Encinitas →
4 mi away · pop. 61,480
Rent $2,886/mo · Income $162,229
Compare with Solana Beach →Moving to Carlsbad →
9 mi away · pop. 114,373
Rent $2,808/mo · Income $142,748
Compare with Solana Beach →Moving to San Marcos →
11 mi away · pop. 94,882
Rent $2,348/mo · Income $109,377
Compare with Solana Beach →Not sure Solana Beach is the one?
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