Trying to choose between Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach? Each city offers a different mix of price, housing style, beach access, and day-to-day rhythm. If you want a clear, side-by-side view to match your budget and lifestyle, you are in the right place. In this guide, you will see today’s price tiers, what the homes look like, how the lifestyle feels, commute and school notes, plus local rules that can affect your purchase. Let’s dive in.
Quick price tiers today
You will see three distinct market tiers.
- Manhattan Beach: higher-end market. Recent snapshots place typical values around the low $3 million range, with many homes trading well above that in prime pockets. Think in brackets like $2.5 million and up, with premiums for ocean-view or Sand Section homes.
- Hermosa Beach: mid-to-high tier. Median sale prices have been near the upper $1 million range. A practical bracket is roughly $1.4 million to $2.5 million for many home types, with Strand-front and newer rebuilds much higher.
- Redondo Beach: broadest entry points. Typical values often fall between about $1.46 million and $1.58 million depending on the neighborhood, with a wider mix of condos and townhomes that can come in below those citywide medians.
These figures reflect recent Zillow and Redfin city-level snapshots through late 2025 and January 2026. Micro-markets like the Sand Section, the Strand, or Riviera Village can change brackets a lot. Confirm your numbers with current MLS data before you write an offer.
Housing types and neighborhoods
Manhattan Beach homes
Manhattan Beach leans single-family, with well-known zones like the Sand Section near the beach, the Tree Section, and the Hill Section. Many homes have gone through major rebuilds with multi-story modern designs. Inventory trends thin, so prices can shift on small changes in supply.
Hermosa Beach homes
Hermosa’s a small city with a walkable core near the pier. You will find compact single-family homes, townhomes, and small multi-unit buildings, especially close to Pier Avenue and the Strand. The narrow land area limits larger-lot new supply, which can keep prices firm in close-in neighborhoods.
Redondo Beach homes
Redondo has the widest mix of all three, including older single-family homes, mid-century pockets, and more condos and townhomes near the marina and along service corridors inland. The city’s planning documents reflect significant multifamily zoning that supports this variety, which helps buyers find more options across budgets. See Redondo’s housing element materials for context on multifamily capacity and mix at the city level. Redondo Beach housing element document
Beach access and lifestyle
All three cities connect to the same oceanfront and the county beach path known as the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, or “The Strand.” It is an everyday amenity for walking and biking between the beach cities. Marvin Braude Bike Trail map and info
Manhattan Beach vibe
Think boutique downtown, a classic pier with the Roundhouse Aquarium, parks, and family-focused events. Retail and dining feel upscale yet relaxed. Weekend parking can be tight near the beach, so plan in advance for guests.
Hermosa Beach vibe
Hermosa centers on Pier Avenue and the Strand, with an active beach culture shaped by volleyball and surf. It is very walkable given the small footprint. Expect tight parking and busier weekends near the pier.
Redondo Beach vibe
Redondo’s waterfront includes King Harbor, the pier, and the Seaside Lagoon area, which draw daytime activity and family-friendly options. Riviera Village in South Redondo adds a charming walkable node with dining and services. For visitor FAQs and waterfront notes, view the pier’s official info. Redondo Pier and Seaside Lagoon FAQs
Commute and transit
Across the three cities, mean travel time to work tends to land around the high 20 minutes when you look at citywide averages. That said, your actual drive can vary widely depending on your route and time of day. Use Pacific Coast Highway, Sepulveda, Artesia, Hawthorne, and the I-405 as your main corridors, and check real-time traffic for planning. See baseline commute data in the Census QuickFacts. Manhattan Beach QuickFacts
Looking forward, the South Bay rail extension for the Metro C Line or K Line to Torrance advanced through a Final EIR and board discussions in 2025 and into 2026. Construction and service dates are multi-year, but the project signals better long-term transit access toward LAX and connections inland. Track updates here. C Line South Bay extension overview
Schools and family resources
Manhattan Beach Unified and Mira Costa High School are widely recognized as top regional performers on public rating sites. If school ratings are a key factor for you, start your research here. Mira Costa High on GreatSchools
Hermosa’s elementary and middle system rates well and commonly feeds into Mira Costa for high school. Always verify attendance boundaries for your specific address. Hermosa Valley Elementary on GreatSchools
Redondo Beach Unified and Redondo Union High are also often cited as strong options for the area. Buyers who want access to well-rated schools while managing purchase price sometimes find Redondo a good balance. Always confirm boundary maps and enrollment with the district.
Taxes and cost of ownership
California property tax basics follow Proposition 13. The general levy is about 1 percent of assessed value, with local bonds and assessments added on top. In Los Angeles County, many bills land around roughly 1.1 to 1.5 percent of assessed value. Budget for that range and confirm the exact Tax Rate Area and any parcel assessments during due diligence. For a plain-English primer, see this overview. Understanding California property taxes
If a home is in an HOA, add dues to your monthly cost. For coastal properties, evaluate insurance and, if applicable, flood coverage. Special assessments can also apply, especially in condo or townhome communities.
Short-term rentals at a glance
Short-term rental (STR) rules change and can be deal-breakers if you plan to host.
- Manhattan Beach: After an appellate decision in 2022, the city’s ban does not apply inside the Coastal Zone. The city administers Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and registration where STRs are allowed. Review the city’s TOT page and confirm current rules before you buy. Manhattan Beach TOT information
- Hermosa Beach: The city is operating a Short-Term Vacation Rental Pilot Program and extended the pilot through October 25, 2027. Read the latest city notice and check permit requirements. Hermosa Beach pilot program update
- Redondo Beach: Public summaries suggest strict limits on rentals shorter than 31 days in many areas. Verify the current municipal code and any registration or enforcement updates directly with the city before relying on STR income assumptions.
Safety and daily logistics
Publicly available datasets often show lower violent crime rates than national averages for these cities, while property crime does occur, especially in busy waterfront areas. Always review local police reports and neighborhood-level crime mapping tools during your due diligence. Simple steps like securing vehicles and planning guest parking can go a long way in beach neighborhoods.
How to choose your fit
Use these quick lenses to narrow your focus:
- Budget: Manhattan Beach is the highest tier, Hermosa is mid-to-high, Redondo offers the most entry points and variety.
- Home type: Want a detached single-family home near the sand? Start with Manhattan. Want options for condos or townhomes and more inventory? Redondo is your widest search. Hermosa is compact and walkable with many townhomes and small-lot homes.
- Beach lifestyle: For immediate Strand access and a compact beach town feel, compare Manhattan and Hermosa. Prefer a marina and a broader waterfront scene with family amenities? Look at Redondo’s King Harbor and Seaside Lagoon area.
- Commute: Use ACS mean travel time as a baseline and test-drive your route at your commute hour. Watch the South Bay rail extension for future connections.
- Schools: If top public high school ratings lead your list, Manhattan Beach Unified is a frequent pick. Hermosa and Redondo offer strong local options at lower purchase prices for many buyers. Always verify boundaries.
- Rental strategy: Check STR rules and TOT registration before assuming hosting income. Rules differ by city and by coastal zone.
What to check before you offer
- Price and comps: Confirm your price bracket and review 6-month comps for your target bed, bath, and lot.
- Location factors: Check if the property is in a flood zone or on a bluff and what that means for insurance.
- School boundaries: Verify which elementary, middle, and high schools serve the exact address.
- Parking and access: In Strand or near-pier areas, confirm off-street parking, guest parking, and any permit programs.
- HOA and assessments: Review HOA dues, special assessments, and any known building projects.
- Property taxes: Ask for the current tax bill and estimate your new assessed value. Use the Prop 13 framework to budget.
- STR rules: If hosting is part of your plan, verify city rules, coastal zone status, permits, and TOT.
Ready to compare homes on the ground?
You do not have to figure this out alone. With deep South Bay experience and a clear read on neighborhood-level nuance, you can move with confidence and avoid surprises. If you are weighing Redondo, Hermosa, or Manhattan Beach, let’s map the best-fit areas, run clean comps, and stress-test your plan. Connect with Theresa Bruno to get local, one-on-one guidance.
FAQs
What are the main price differences between Redondo, Hermosa, and Manhattan Beach?
- Manhattan Beach is typically the most expensive, Hermosa sits in the middle, and Redondo offers the most entry points based on recent city-level snapshots.
Which South Bay beach city has the most condos and townhomes?
- Redondo Beach generally has the widest selection of condos and townhomes, plus some mid-rise options near the marina.
How similar are commute times across the three cities?
- Census estimates show mean travel times in the high 20 minutes across all three, but your actual drive varies by route and time of day.
Where should I start if public school ratings are a priority?
- Many buyers begin with Manhattan Beach Unified for its widely cited performance, while also comparing Hermosa and Redondo options and verifying boundaries.
Can I run a short-term rental in these cities?
- Rules differ: parts of Manhattan’s Coastal Zone allow STRs with TOT obligations, Hermosa runs a pilot program with permits, and Redondo has strict limits in many areas.
What lifestyle differences should I expect near the beach?
- Hermosa’s core is compact and lively around Pier Avenue and the Strand, Manhattan feels polished with a boutique downtown, and Redondo centers on a broader marina and waterfront scene.
