If you are thinking about buying in Santa Monica 90402, one question matters more than almost any other: what type of home actually fits the way you want to live? In this zip code, the answer is not simple. Prices vary widely, inventory is tight, and a condo, townhome, or detached house can put you in very different buying lanes even when the address says 90402. This guide will help you sort through the tradeoffs, understand the current market, and choose the ownership model that fits your budget and goals. Let’s dive in.
90402 Market Basics
Santa Monica 90402 is a high-priced, supply-constrained market, but it is not one single price point. As of May and June 2026, Zillow placed the average home value at $4,905,611, while Realtor.com reported a median listing price of $5,995,000 and a median sold price of $4,650,000. Redfin’s May 2026 data showed a median sale price of $3,927,834.
Those numbers differ because each platform uses its own timing and method, but they point to the same reality. 90402 is expensive, inventory is limited, and buyers need to compare options carefully. Realtor.com reported 73 active listings in June 2026, with homes spending a median 65 days on market, while Redfin showed about 45 days on market.
The zip code also has meaningful differences within it. Realtor.com’s June 2026 breakdown showed North of Montana with a median listing price of $5,250,000, while Wilshire-Montana came in at $1,285,000. That spread is a good reminder that the same zip code can contain very different submarkets.
Why Home Type Matters Most
In 90402, buyers often start by asking whether they want the best address or the best fit. The better question is usually how much space, privacy, flexibility, and maintenance responsibility you want to take on. Your answer will often point you toward a condo, townhome, or detached house.
This matters because each product type competes a little differently. Some well-priced homes still move quickly and may draw multiple offers, while other listings leave room for negotiation depending on condition and property type. In practical terms, your buying strategy should match the kind of home you are targeting, not just the zip code.
Condos in 90402
Condos as the entry point
For many buyers, condos are the lowest-maintenance way into 90402. Entry-level inventory does exist, including a 515-square-foot studio at 201 Ocean Avenue listed around $899,000. That is a very different starting point from detached homes, which generally begin much higher.
You can also find renovated two-bedroom condos in the mid-$1 million range. One example is 446 San Vicente Boulevard #202, a two-bed, two-bath condo that sold for $1,397,000. That gives buyers a path into the neighborhood without stepping into detached-home pricing.
What condo living can offer
Condos in 90402 range from simpler mid-rise buildings to full-service coastal towers. At 446 San Vicente Boulevard #202, HOA dues were $807 per month and included water, sewer, trash, earthquake insurance, and building and grounds coverage. The building also offered a rooftop deck and assigned parking.
At the higher-service end, 701 Ocean Avenue #110 was listed at $1,995,000 with HOA dues of $2,609 per month. That building included a rooftop pool and lounge, 24-hour concierge, secure parking, and on-site management. These examples show how condo ownership here can vary a lot in both lifestyle and monthly cost.
Condo tradeoffs to weigh
The main benefit of a condo is convenience. You usually get less exterior maintenance, shared amenities, and an easier lock-and-leave setup than you would with a detached home. For buyers who travel often or want a simpler ownership experience, that can be a major plus.
The tradeoff is less control. You will likely have shared walls, HOA rules, and building-level decisions that are made collectively. HOA dues in current 90402 examples range from about $807 to more than $2,600 per month, so the monthly carrying cost deserves as much attention as the purchase price.
Townhomes in 90402
The middle ground option
Townhomes often sit between condos and detached homes in both price and lifestyle. In 90402, they can give you a more house-like feel without the full maintenance load of owning a stand-alone property. That balance makes them attractive for buyers who want more privacy and space than a condo usually provides.
Current examples help show the range. At 202 San Vicente Boulevard #15, a two-bed, three-bath, 1,577-square-foot townhome was priced at $1,799,000 and included a private elevator, gated parking, two covered spaces, and HOA dues of $810 per month. Another nearby unit at 202 San Vicente Boulevard #11 offered three levels and an office or den that could function as a third bedroom.
What you may get with a townhome
Townhomes in this zip code can offer features buyers often associate with houses. At 612 Lincoln Boulevard #3, a newer three-bed plus loft townhome was listed at $2,595,000 and included a private roof deck, balconies, a patio, and a private two-car garage. That setup can deliver outdoor space and parking while keeping upkeep more manageable than a detached house.
This product type is often a good fit when you want more separation between living spaces and bedrooms. It can also appeal if you want more square footage than a typical condo but do not want to take on a yard or major exterior maintenance.
Townhome tradeoffs to weigh
Townhomes are about balance, and that balance comes with tradeoffs. You usually get more privacy and space than a condo, but less land and autonomy than a detached home. Multi-level layouts are common, so stairs are often part of daily life.
It is also important to look past the marketing label. Some homes are presented as townhomes even when the legal style is recorded as condo or co-op. That is why reviewing HOA documents and title details matters before you assume a property functions exactly like a detached house.
Detached Homes in 90402
The land and privacy play
Detached homes are usually the top choice when privacy, yard space, and long-term customization matter most. In 90402, this category tends to dominate the higher price tiers. Many current detached listings fall roughly in the $3 million to $6 million range, with larger properties stretching far above that.
Current examples show just how wide the range can be. Listings have included a 3-bed, 3-bath, 2,724-square-foot home at $5,495,000, a 5-bed, 5-bath, 4,628-square-foot home at $7,995,000, and a 6-bed, 6-bath, 5,898-square-foot home at $11,999,000. At the top end, larger estates have reached $18,995,000.
What detached ownership can offer
The appeal is easy to understand. Detached homes usually give you the most privacy, the strongest separation from neighbors, and the greatest sense of control over your property. Buyers looking for outdoor space, more bedrooms, or a longer-term hold often end up here.
In 90402, many detached homes are older properties with character, especially in areas like North of Montana, which largely developed in the 1920s and 1930s. That can be a major draw for buyers who value architecture, lot size, or the possibility of improving a property over time.
Detached home tradeoffs to weigh
The biggest tradeoffs are cost and complexity. Detached homes carry the highest purchase prices and the highest maintenance burden. You are taking on more responsibility for the structure, systems, landscaping, and long-term upkeep.
If you are thinking about expanding or rebuilding, Santa Monica’s local rules matter. The city’s 2019 update to single-unit residential standards set a 28-foot height cap for new construction in R1 neighborhoods and a maximum parcel coverage of 45%, along with additional rules for stepbacks, balconies, and lot-size flexibility. For buyers, that means the value of a lot is tied not just to the house today, but to what the property can realistically support under current city standards.
Budget Ranges by Home Type
Your budget will often narrow the choice quickly. Based on current examples in 90402, here is a practical way to think about the market:
- Around $900,000: entry-level condo inventory, including smaller studios
- Around $1.4 million to $2.0 million: renovated two-bedroom condos and some townhomes
- Around $2.6 million: newer or more spacious townhomes
- Around $3 million to $6 million: many detached homes begin to compete here, along with some larger condos and townhomes
- $7 million and up: larger detached homes and premium coastal properties dominate
These are not fixed price bands, but they are helpful cues. In 90402, even a modest shift in budget can open or close an entire property category.
How to Choose the Right Fit
Choose a condo if simplicity leads
A condo may be the best fit if you want the lowest-maintenance path into 90402. It can also make sense if you value building amenities, secure access, and a lock-and-leave lifestyle. Just be sure to compare HOA dues, rules, and services carefully.
Choose a townhome if balance matters
A townhome often works well if you want more space and privacy than a condo but do not want the full responsibility of a detached property. It can be a smart middle lane for buyers who want garage parking, some outdoor space, and a more house-like layout.
Choose a detached home if control matters most
A detached home is usually the strongest fit if land, privacy, and long-term flexibility sit at the top of your list. It is the most expensive route, but it can offer the most control over how you live and how you use the property. In 90402, though, that control still needs to be viewed through Santa Monica’s planning standards.
The Real Tradeoff in 90402
In this zip code, the decision is rarely just about whether you can buy in. It is about how you want to own once you get here. A condo may lower the maintenance load, a townhome may balance comfort and convenience, and a detached home may offer the strongest long-term hold if your budget and goals support it.
That is why a good buying plan in 90402 starts with lifestyle and ownership preferences, then matches those priorities to the numbers. In a market this segmented, the right home type can matter just as much as the right street.
If you want help comparing condos, townhomes, and detached homes in Santa Monica 90402, the team at Jasan Sherman can help you sort through the tradeoffs and focus on the options that truly fit your goals.
FAQs
What is the average home value in Santa Monica 90402?
- As of May and June 2026, Zillow reported an average home value of $4,905,611 for 90402.
What price range should you expect for condos in Santa Monica 90402?
- Current examples range from about $899,000 for a smaller studio to roughly $2 million for higher-end condo listings, with HOA dues varying widely.
What makes townhomes in Santa Monica 90402 different from condos?
- Townhomes often offer more space, more privacy, and more house-like features such as private garages, roof decks, or multi-level layouts, but they still usually include HOA dues and shared governance.
What do detached homes in Santa Monica 90402 typically cost?
- Many detached homes in current listings begin around the $3 million to $6 million range, while larger or premium properties can climb well above $7 million.
What Santa Monica rules matter for detached homes in 90402?
- In R1 neighborhoods, Santa Monica’s single-unit residential standards include a 28-foot height cap for new construction and a maximum parcel coverage of 45%, along with other design-related rules.
Is Santa Monica 90402 a competitive market for buyers?
- June 2026 data suggests a tight market with limited inventory, and while some homes still attract multiple offers, buyers may also find room to negotiate depending on property type and condition.
