Half Moon Bay, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Half Moon Bay is a small city in California with a population of 11,454. Residents earn $153,199 per year, which is 104% above the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
11,454 Population 1,836/sq mi density
$153,199 Median Income $81,034 per capita
$1,467,000 Home Value $1,534,250 Zillow
$2,299 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$153,199 median income, 1.6% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.2 / 5.0
$1,467,000 home value, $2,299/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
53.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $153,199
104% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,467,000
420% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 53.2%
58% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,299
98% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.5%
21% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.3%
81% lower than US avg

How Half Moon Bay Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population11,454
Median Age46.5 yrs
Density1,836/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 66%

Economy

A+
Median Income$153,199
Per Capita$81,034
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty2.3%
County GDP$217,018M
Commute31 min

Housing

F
Home Value$1,467,000
Rent$2,299
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,534,250

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity25.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.3%
Heart Disease4.4%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain26.0 in/yr
Elevation39 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+53.2%
High School+91.3%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 23% / D 74%
Commute31 min
EV Stations12
Libraries34

Is Half Moon Bay a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Half Moon Bay receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Half Moon Bay offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Half Moon Bay is $153,199, which is significantly higher than the national average — 104% above $75,149. This places Half Moon Bay among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. Only 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Half Moon Bay is $1,467,000, making it a premium housing market at 420% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,299 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9.6x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Half Moon Bay is a highly educated community — 53.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 91.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Half Moon Bay experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Half Moon Bay has a population of 11,454 with a density of 1,836 people per square mile. The median age is 46.5 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (66%), with 1.9% Hispanic.

Population

11,454
Total Population
1,836
People / sq mi
46.5yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
6.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46%
Female 54%

Race & Ethnicity

Half Moon Bay vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only67.5%
14% below US avg
Spanish32.5%
143% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Half Moon Bay vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Half Moon Bay is $153,199, which is 104% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Half Moon Bay vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$153,199
104% above US avg
Per Capita Income$81,034
Avg Weekly Wage$3,778
IRS Avg AGI$232,794

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.3%
81% below US avg
Establishments (County)31,186
County GDP$217,018M

Business (County)

Restaurants2,143
Healthcare2,617
Retail1,916
Manufacturing487

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$17,586
402% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.20%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.3 min
Work from Home23.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Half Moon Bay is $1,467,000, 420% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,299 (98% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,534,250.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,467,000
420% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,534,250
Median List Price$1,249,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,249,000
$/Sq Ft$760
Homes Sold12
Sale-to-List Ratio100.2%
Price Drops16.7%
Inventory12

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,299
98% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$17,586
402% above US avg
Effective Rate1.20%
In Half Moon Bay, 25.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 22.3% report depression. 18.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Half Moon Bay vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.5%
21% below US avg
Diabetes8.0%
Heart Disease4.4%
High Blood Pressure25.6%
Asthma9.5%
COPD4.0%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.6%
Physical Inactivity18.1%
Depression22.3%
Mental Distress15.4%
Physical Distress11.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.2%
Checkup Rate68.6%
Premature Death4,006/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.6/10
Exercise Access99.5%
Healthcare Facilities2,617

Crime Rates: Half Moon Bay vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)43

Safety Score

Half Moon Bay has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July. Annual precipitation is 26.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

51°F Jan (11°C) 59°F Jul (15°C)
Annual Average54.9°F
2% above US avg
January Average51°F (11°C)
July Average59°F (15°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall26.0 inches
31% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation39 ft (12 m)
Area6.2 sq mi (16.2 km²)
Population Density1,836/sq mi
Coordinates37.4673°N, 122.4405°W
County FIPS06081
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 53.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 50.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 23.2%
D 73.5%

Winner: Democrat by 50.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+53.2%
58% above US avg
High School+91.3%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,836/sq mi
Total Area6.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations12
Alt Fuel Stations12
Public Libraries34
Healthcare Facilities2,617
Restaurants2,143
Retail Stores1,916

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)43

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.3 min
Work from Home23.0%

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