Santa Monica Housing Market Report – May 2026
Here's a look at how the Santa Monica, CA real estate market performed in May 2026, based on actual sold data from the MLS.
Market Snapshot
- Homes Sold: 70
- Median Sale Price: $1,900,000
- Average Sale Price: $2,883,935
- Average Price Per Sq Ft: $1,277
- Average Days on Market: 76
- Sale-to-List Price Ratio: 99.6%
Month-Over-Month Trends
Compared to April, the median sale price in Santa Monica moved 5.0% down (from $2,000,000 to $1,900,000). The number of homes sold was 7.7% up compared to the prior month (65 vs. 70). Average days on market shifted 4.1% up (73 days to 76 days).
Year-Over-Year Comparison
Compared to May 2025, the median sale price is 2.6% up (from $1,852,717 to $1,900,000). Sales volume is 7.9% down year-over-year.
What This Means
Santa Monica's May market shows signs of stabilization after a modest spring decline. While sales volume ticked up to 70 homes, this likely reflects improved data collection rather than a genuine market surge. The more telling metric is the median price, which dipped 5 percent month-over-month to $1.9 million—suggesting some normalization after April's higher asking prices. Year-over-year, the median remains up 2.6 percent, indicating the market hasn't lost ground despite seasonal softness.
What's worth noting is the widening gap between median ($1.9M) and average prices ($2.88M), pointing to outsized sales at the luxury end while mid-market homes move more steadily. Properties are spending roughly 76 days on market, a slight uptick that reflects typical late-spring buyer fatigue. The 99.6 percent sale-to-list ratio is healthy—homes are still selling at near-asking prices—but the growing inventory of 382 active listings signals buyers have more choice than they did months ago.
For sellers, conditions remain reasonable but patience is increasingly rewarded. The market isn't overheated, yet it hasn't cooled dramatically either. This is a buyer's market with guardrails.
Santa Monica Sales by Zip Code
| Zip Code | Homes Sold | Median Price | Avg $/SqFt | Avg DOM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90405 | 30 | $1,706,500 | $1,088 | 67 |
| 90402 | 20 | $4,725,000 | $1,714 | 86 |
| 90403 | 14 | $1,735,000 | $1,205 | 73 |
| 90404 | 6 | $1,592,500 | $935 | 93 |
Sales by Property Type
| Property Type | Homes Sold | Median Price | Avg $/SqFt |
|---|---|---|---|
| SINGLE_FAMILY | 31 | $3,850,000 | $1,760 |
| CONDOS | 28 | $1,263,000 | $989 |
| MULTI_FAMILY | 5 | $2,100,000 | $536 |
| CONDO | 2 | $1,575,000 | $1,136 |
| OTHER | 2 | $1,081,250 | $239 |
| TOWNHOMES | 2 | $1,130,000 | $850 |
Sales by Price Range
| Price Range | Homes Sold |
|---|---|
| $500K - $749K | 4 |
| $750K+ | 66 |
Current Active Listings
As of this report, there are 382 active listings in Santa Monica with a median asking price of $2,179,025 and an average of 81 days on market.
Thinking About Selling Your Santa Monica Home?
If you're a homeowner in Santa Monica considering selling, you have options. While the traditional market is one route, selling directly for cash can save you time, commissions, and the hassle of repairs and showings. We buy houses in Santa Monica and throughout Los Angeles County — get a no-obligation cash offer today.