Studio Apartment Rent in Alameda, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Alameda, California as of July 2026. That's +34% lower than the citywide median of $2,948 and +52% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Alameda
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Alameda
Compare Alameda's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $838 |
| 3 | Taft | $870 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Barstow | $920 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 8 | California City | $940 |
| 9 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 10 | Paradise | $970 |
| 11 | Eureka | $980 |
| 12 | Oroville | $985 |
| 13 | Florence-Graham | $1,029 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 15 | Anderson | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $3,520 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Coto de Caza | $3,070 |
| 12 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 13 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 14 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 15 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Alameda.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Alameda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland, CA | 4 mi | $1,792 | $-168 (-9%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 4.4 mi | $2,070 | +$110 (+6%) |
| Berkeley, CA | 7 mi | $1,913 | $-47 (-2%) |
| Albany, CA | 8.1 mi | $1,940 | $-20 (-1%) |
| San Francisco, CA | 9.7 mi | $2,319 | +$359 (+18%) |
| Orinda, CA | 9.8 mi | $2,120 | +$160 (+8%) |
| San Leandro, CA | 10.1 mi | $1,715 | $-245 (-12%) |
| El Cerrito, CA | 10.3 mi | $1,910 | $-50 (-3%) |
| San Lorenzo, CA | 12.1 mi | $1,910 | $-50 (-3%) |
| Moraga, CA | 12.2 mi | $2,270 | +$310 (+16%) |
| South San Francisco, CA | 12.9 mi | $2,130 | +$170 (+9%) |
| Richmond, CA | 13 mi | $1,685 | $-275 (-14%) |
Studio rent in Alameda — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Alameda?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Alameda, California is $1,960 per month. This is +34% below the citywide median of $2,948.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Alameda?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $78,400 ($6,533/month gross), which works out to roughly $37.69/hour at a full-time job.
Is Alameda expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Alameda's studio median of $1,960 is +52% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 86th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Alameda rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Alameda ranks #182 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Alameda?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Oakland ($1,792), Berkeley ($1,913), Albany ($1,940).