Studio Apartment Rent in Albany, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Albany, California as of July 2026. That's +38% lower than the citywide median of $3,107 and +50% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Albany
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 Albany
Compare Albany'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 Albany.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Albany |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley, CA | 1.9 mi | $1,913 | $-27 (-1%) |
| El Cerrito, CA | 2.2 mi | $1,910 | $-30 (-2%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 3.7 mi | $2,070 | +$130 (+7%) |
| Richmond, CA | 5.2 mi | $1,685 | $-255 (-13%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 6.1 mi | $1,709 | $-231 (-12%) |
| Pinole, CA | 7.3 mi | $1,970 | +$30 (+2%) |
| Orinda, CA | 7.7 mi | $2,120 | +$180 (+9%) |
| Alameda, CA | 8.1 mi | $1,960 | +$20 (+1%) |
| Oakland, CA | 8.4 mi | $1,792 | $-148 (-8%) |
| Hercules, CA | 8.6 mi | $2,490 | +$550 (+28%) |
| San Francisco, CA | 11.7 mi | $2,319 | +$379 (+20%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 11.9 mi | $2,890 | +$950 (+49%) |
Studio rent in Albany — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Albany?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Albany, California is $1,940 per month. This is +38% below the citywide median of $3,107.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Albany?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $77,600 ($6,467/month gross), which works out to roughly $37.31/hour at a full-time job.
Is Albany expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Albany's studio median of $1,940 is +50% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 85th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Albany rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Albany ranks #179 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Albany?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Berkeley ($1,913), El Cerrito ($1,910), Richmond ($1,685).