Solana Beach, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Solana Beach is a small city in California with a population of 12,841. Residents earn $150,820 per year, which is 101% above the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
12,841 Population 3,766/sq mi density
$150,820 Median Income $93,265 per capita
$1,934,700 Home Value $2,157,506 Zillow
$3,022 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
165 Violent Crime/100K 1,411 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$150,820 median income, 1.9% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$1,934,700 home value, $3,022/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
165 violent crimes/100K (57% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
71.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $150,820
101% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,934,700
586% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 165/100K
57% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 71.8%
113% higher than US avg
Median Rent $3,022
160% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 22.6%
30% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.5%
80% lower than US avg

How Solana Beach Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population12,841
Median Age47.9 yrs
Density3,766/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 81%

Economy

A+
Median Income$150,820
Per Capita$93,265
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty2.5%
County GDP$331,868M
Commute22 min

Housing

F
Home Value$1,934,700
Rent$3,022
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$2,157,506

Crime

F
Violent165/100K
Property1,411/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault105/100K
Burglary413/100K

Health

Obesity22.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.1%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain11.5 in/yr
Elevation126 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+71.8%
High School+97.2%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 57%
Commute22 min
EV Stations37
Libraries88

Is Solana Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Solana Beach receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Solana Beach offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Solana Beach is $150,820, which is significantly higher than the national average — 101% above $75,149. This places Solana Beach among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. Only 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Solana Beach is $1,934,700, making it a premium housing market at 586% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $3,022 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 12.8x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Solana Beach is below the national average at 165 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,411 per 100,000, 28% below the national average.

Education

Solana Beach is a highly educated community — 71.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Solana Beach enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Solana Beach has a population of 12,841 with a density of 3,766 people per square mile. The median age is 47.9 years, 23% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (81.1%), with 1.2% Hispanic.

Population

12,841
Total Population
3,766
People / sq mi
47.9yrs
Median Age
23% above US avg
3.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48%
Female 52%

Race & Ethnicity

Solana Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only81.3%
4% above US avg
Spanish18.7%
40% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Solana Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Solana Beach is $150,820, which is 101% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Solana Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$150,820
101% above US avg
Per Capita Income$93,265
Avg Weekly Wage$1,593
IRS Avg AGI$104,353

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.5%
80% below US avg
Establishments (County)133,031
County GDP$331,868M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,243
Healthcare11,184
Retail9,270
Manufacturing2,955

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,205
163% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.48%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.9 min
Work from Home30.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Solana Beach is $1,934,700, 586% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $3,022 (160% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $2,157,506.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,934,700
586% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$2,157,506
Median List Price$2,475,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$2,475,000
$/Sq Ft$989
Homes Sold10
Sale-to-List Ratio98.3%
Price Drops28.0%
Inventory25

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$3,022
160% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$4,097

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-Occupied68.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,205
163% above US avg
Effective Rate0.48%
In Solana Beach, 22.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 23.1% report depression. 13.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Solana Beach vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity22.6%
30% below US avg
Diabetes6.5%
High Blood Pressure24.1%
Asthma9.2%
COPD3.4%
Stroke2.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity13.3%
Depression23.1%
Mental Distress15.4%
Physical Distress9.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.3%
Checkup Rate72.8%
Premature Death5,727/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access97.5%
Healthcare Facilities11,184
Solana Beach has a violent crime rate of 165 per 100,000 residents, 57% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,411 per 100,000 (28% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Solana Beach vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent165.2/100K
57% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape15.0/100K
Robbery45.0/100K
Assault105.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,411.3/100K
28% below US avg
Burglary412.9/100K
Theft915.9/100K
Vehicle Theft82.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)272
FEMA Disasters455

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Solana Beach has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 11.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average64.2°F
19% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall11.5 inches
70% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation126 ft (38 m)
Area3.4 sq mi (8.8 km²)
Population Density3,766/sq mi
Coordinates32.9913°N, 117.2581°W
County FIPS06073
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 71.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (113% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 16.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.2%
D 56.9%

Winner: Democrat by 16.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+71.8%
113% above US avg
High School+97.2%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,766/sq mi
Total Area3.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations37
Alt Fuel Stations37
Public Libraries88
Healthcare Facilities11,184
Restaurants8,243
Retail Stores9,270

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)272
FEMA Disaster Declarations455
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.9 min
Work from Home30.7%

Nearby Cities

Compare Solana Beach with another city: