Studio Apartment Rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California as of October 2026. That's +52% lower than the citywide median of $5,742 and +112% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Carmel-by-the-Sea
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 Carmel-by-the-Sea
Compare Carmel-by-the-Sea's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Taft | $870 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 7 | California City | $940 |
| 8 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 9 | Paradise | $970 |
| 10 | Eureka | $980 |
| 11 | Oroville | $985 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 14 | Anderson | $1,060 |
| 15 | Shafter | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $3,570 |
| 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 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 13 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 14 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
| 15 | Saratoga | $2,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Carmel-by-the-Sea.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Carmel-by-the-Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey, CA | 8.7 mi | $2,017 | $-713 (-26%) |
| Seaside, CA | 12.2 mi | $2,540 | $-190 (-7%) |
| Pacific Grove, CA | 13 mi | $2,379 | $-351 (-13%) |
| Marina, CA | 17 mi | $2,250 | $-480 (-18%) |
| Salinas, CA | 22.7 mi | $1,886 | $-844 (-31%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 34.9 mi | $2,570 | $-160 (-6%) |
| Capitola, CA | 37.1 mi | $3,100 | +$370 (+14%) |
| Aptos, CA | 38.6 mi | $3,420 | +$690 (+25%) |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 40.8 mi | $2,428 | $-302 (-11%) |
| Soquel, CA | 41.3 mi | $2,024 | $-706 (-26%) |
| Scotts Valley, CA | 44.2 mi | $3,420 | +$690 (+25%) |
| Gilroy, CA | 44.3 mi | $2,150 | $-580 (-21%) |
Studio rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California is $2,730 per month. This is +52% below the citywide median of $5,742.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $109,200 ($9,100/month gross), which works out to roughly $52.50/hour at a full-time job.
Is Carmel-by-the-Sea expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Carmel-by-the-Sea's studio median of $2,730 is +112% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Carmel-by-the-Sea rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Carmel-by-the-Sea ranks #344 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Monterey ($2,017), Seaside ($2,540), Pacific Grove ($2,379).