Studio Apartment Rent in Chula Vista, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Chula Vista, California as of October 2026. That's +11% lower than the citywide median of $2,935 and +104% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Chula Vista
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 Chula Vista
Compare Chula Vista'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 Chula Vista.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Chula Vista |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Valley, CA | 6.5 mi | $1,760 | $-866 (-33%) |
| National City, CA | 7.2 mi | $1,600 | $-1,026 (-39%) |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 7.4 mi | $1,760 | $-866 (-33%) |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 9.4 mi | $1,910 | $-716 (-27%) |
| La Mesa, CA | 9.4 mi | $1,995 | $-631 (-24%) |
| San Diego, CA | 12.6 mi | $2,363 | $-263 (-10%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 13.4 mi | $1,923 | $-703 (-27%) |
| Santee, CA | 15.2 mi | $2,010 | $-616 (-23%) |
| Coronado, CA | 15.3 mi | $3,190 | +$564 (+21%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 20.4 mi | $1,860 | $-766 (-29%) |
| Alpine, CA | 23.3 mi | $2,040 | $-586 (-22%) |
| Poway, CA | 24.3 mi | $2,150 | $-476 (-18%) |
Studio rent in Chula Vista — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Chula Vista?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Chula Vista, California is $2,626 per month. This is +11% below the citywide median of $2,935.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Chula Vista?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $105,040 ($8,753/month gross), which works out to roughly $50.50/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chula Vista expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Chula Vista's studio median of $2,626 is +104% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chula Vista rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Chula Vista ranks #328 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Chula Vista?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Spring Valley ($1,760), National City ($1,600), Lemon Grove ($1,760).