2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Pismo Beach, CA vs Monterey, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Monterey older or younger than people in Pismo Beach?
- The Median Age in Monterey is 20.8 years younger than in Pismo Beach.

Are housing costs cheaper in Monterey or Pismo Beach?
- Monterey housing costs are 15.3% less expensive than Pismo Beach housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Monterey or Pismo Beach?
- The average commute for residents of Monterey is 6.9 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Pismo Beach.

Things to do in Pismo Beach?
Living in Pismo Beach, CA is an incredible experience. The area is known for its stunning coastline and seaside cliffs, providing mesmerizing views of the Pacific. It's also very close to a number of exciting attractions like Hearst Castle, Avila Beach, and Oceano Dunes. With so much to explore both on land and water, Pismo Beach offers something for everyone. It is also home to great restaurants and bars that serve up delicious local cuisine. Plus, the weather is almost always beautiful with plenty of sunshine to enjoy! Whether you’re looking for an outdoorsy adventure or simply a leisurely beachside stroll, Pismo Beach provides plenty of opportunities to make your stay memorable.

Things to do in Monterey?
Monterey, CA is an iconic beach city located on the Monterey Peninsula of California's central coast. This picturesque coastal community offers stunning beaches, world-class golf courses, fabulous restaurants and galleries, plus numerous other recreational activities.

 Pismo Beach, CAMonterey, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock30,014329,725,481
 Median Income$94,268  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock37.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,206,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.8%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time22.16  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Pismo Beach    4 Reviews

It's a nice town to visit - although very touristy. Clean air - and nice sand dunes nearby. A variety of housing - but expensive. Good for seafood. I would say  More

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It's still challenging to find a good job: Diablo Canyon Nuclear plant has announced it will be closing in 9 years, so many 6-figure incomes will be going along with the  More

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Over 9 years ago

Because of fires allowed in campsites each and everyday it is very smokey and hard to  More

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Reviews for Monterey    21 Reviews

Over 8 years ago

The Monterey city area is an excellent place to live and one of the few California locales where it's relatively safe to raise a family. If I could no longer live here I  More

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I grew up on the Monterey Peninsula and had to leave to climb out of poverty. The median income is $35,000 and outside of the military, the jobs are mostly service  More

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My husband and I are just crazy about Monterey. I wonder if we take housing expenses (mortgage or rent) out of the picture, is Monterey still a very expensive city to  More

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