Living in Carlsbad, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Carlsbad · Census data 2020–2024
Carlsbad has 114,373 residents with a median age of 42.5. The median household income is $142,748 (44% higher than the California median), the median home value is $1,257,000, the median rent is $2,808/month.
Carlsbad at a glance
- Population
- 114,373
- Median age
- 42.5State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $142,748State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $1,257,000State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $2,808/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 62.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 62.1%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Carlsbad a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 44% higher than the California median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 5.5%; a poverty rate of 6.9%.
Cons: Home values 71% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in July to October.
Cost of living in Carlsbad
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Carlsbad the median home value is $1,257,000, 278% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,808 per month, which is 34.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,741 a month in housing costs.
Carlsbad median household income
The median household income in Carlsbad is $142,748 and the income per person is $72,390. 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Carlsbad: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 47,314
- Owner-occupied
- 62.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 37.1%
- Vacant
- 6.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1989
- Average household size
- 2.58
Carlsbad demographics
- Population
- 114,373
- Median age
- 42.5
- Under 18
- 23.4%
- 65 and older
- 18.8%
- Households
- 44,038
- Foreign-born
- 14.1%
- Veterans
- 7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Carlsbad ›
Education in Carlsbad
62.1% of adults 25 and older in Carlsbad have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 25.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Carlsbad
- Unemployment rate
- 5.5%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 31.9%
- Drive alone
- 59.6%
- Public transit
- 0.8%
- Walk to work
- 1.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 96.1%
Carlsbad vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad | 114,373 | $142,748 | $1,257,000 | $2,808 |
| Lake San Marcos | 4,693 | $89,851 | $917,000 | $2,585 |
| Vista | 99,114 | $94,975 | $762,400 | $2,249 |
| Encinitas | 61,480 | $162,229 | $1,646,800 | $2,886 |
| San Marcos | 94,882 | $109,377 | $868,000 | $2,348 |
| Oceanside | 172,242 | $97,737 | $770,300 | $2,303 |
| Elfin Forest | 592 | $170,938 | $1,950,000 | — |
| Rancho Santa Fe | 2,260 | $175,792 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
| Harmony Grove | 2,585 | $227,140 | $1,231,600 | $3,501 |
More for people moving to Carlsbad
Carlsbad ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Carlsbad: FAQ
What is the median household income in Carlsbad, CA?
The median household income in Carlsbad is $142,748, 44% higher than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Carlsbad?
The median home value in Carlsbad is $1,257,000, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Carlsbad?
The median gross rent in Carlsbad is $2,808 per month, about 34.4% of household income.
Is Carlsbad, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 44% higher than the California median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 5.5%; a poverty rate of 6.9%. Minuses: home values 71% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Carlsbad?
The median age in Carlsbad is 42.5 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Carlsbad?
The average commute to work in Carlsbad is 27 minutes; 31.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Carlsbad?
The unemployment rate in Carlsbad is 5.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Carlsbad?
62.1% of adults in Carlsbad have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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