Monterey, CA
Full City Profile · California · Monterey County County
2.9
/5.0
C+
Fair
29,772
Population
3,442/sq mi density
$104,110
Median Income
$62,541 per capita
$1,003,300
Home Value
$1,159,526 Zillow
$2,288
Median Rent
31.9% income on rent
57°F
Avg Temperature
386
Violent Crime/100K
1,799 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$104,110 median income, 5.5% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.2 / 5.0
$1,003,300 home value, $2,288/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
386 violent crimes/100K (1% above avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
54.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Monterey enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 16.2 inches. The area receives 0.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.
Temperature
53°F Jan (11°C)
62°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 57.3°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 53°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 62°F (16°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 6 ft (2 m) |
| Area | 8.7 sq mi (22.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,442/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.6012°N, 121.8831°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Monterey County County |
| Nearest Airport | Monterey Regional (MRY) 2 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 79.8% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0363 ppm |
| NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide) | 5.8 ppb |
| CO (Carbon Monoxide) | 0.24 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 5.6 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 54.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 24.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 4.5 m (15 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1868 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 4.5 m | 30 | 124 km |
| 1989 | N. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 1.0 m | 62 | 48 km |
| 1856 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.6 m | - | 107 km |
| 1906 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.1 m | - | 134 km |
| 1901 | MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 141 km |
| 1865 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 67 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53°F (11°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| February | 54°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 0.5 in | |
| June | 60°F (16°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 62°F (16°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest |
Monterey has a seasonal temperature swing of 10°F / from 52°F in December to 63°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 16.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.5") and July the driest (0.0").