Cost of Living in Del Mar, CA
Population 3,921 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Del Mar's housing market is in a category of its own — median home values around $2 million sit roughly 7 times the US figure, reflecting a market driven as much by second-home and resort buyers as by year-round residents. An unemployment rate of 2.5% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Located 12 miles south of Carlsbad, Del Mar falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 73% higher than Carlsbad's $1.2 million.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Del Mar
The median home value in Del Mar is $2,000,001 — 556% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $3,377/month, 157% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $192,845/year is 159% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.5%, below the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Del Mar has a cost of living index of 496 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 396% more expensive.
Del Mar has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Del Mar, CA?
Del Mar has a cost index of 496 (100 = national average). It is 396% above the national average.
What is average rent in Del Mar, CA?
The median gross rent in Del Mar is $3,377 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Del Mar?
The median home value in Del Mar is $2,000,001 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Del Mar?
The median household income in Del Mar is $192,845 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Del Mar, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Del Mar is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Del Mar, CA affordable?
Del Mar is above average in cost of living, with an index of 496 — about 396% higher than the national average.
Del Mar at a Glance
- Population
- 3,921
- Median Income
- $192,845
- Home Value
- $2,000,001
- Median Rent
- $3,377/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.5%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data