Studio Apartment Rent in Berkeley, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Berkeley, California as of July 2026. That's +35% lower than the citywide median of $2,941 and +48% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Berkeley
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 Berkeley
Compare Berkeley'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? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Berkeley.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Berkeley |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, CA | 1.9 mi | $1,940 | +$27 (+1%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 2.9 mi | $2,070 | +$157 (+8%) |
| El Cerrito, CA | 3.7 mi | $1,910 | $-3 (0%) |
| Orinda, CA | 6 mi | $2,120 | +$207 (+11%) |
| Oakland, CA | 6.6 mi | $1,792 | $-121 (-6%) |
| Richmond, CA | 6.9 mi | $1,685 | $-228 (-12%) |
| Alameda, CA | 7 mi | $1,960 | +$47 (+2%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 7.9 mi | $1,709 | $-204 (-11%) |
| Pinole, CA | 8.2 mi | $1,970 | +$57 (+3%) |
| Hercules, CA | 9.3 mi | $2,490 | +$577 (+30%) |
| Lafayette, CA | 10.9 mi | $2,530 | +$617 (+32%) |
| Moraga, CA | 11.1 mi | $2,270 | +$357 (+19%) |
Studio rent in Berkeley — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Berkeley?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Berkeley, California is $1,913 per month. This is +35% below the citywide median of $2,941.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Berkeley?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $76,520 ($6,377/month gross), which works out to roughly $36.79/hour at a full-time job.
Is Berkeley expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Berkeley's studio median of $1,913 is +48% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 85th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Berkeley rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Berkeley ranks #175 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Berkeley?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include El Cerrito ($1,910), Oakland ($1,792), Richmond ($1,685).