Studio Apartment Rent in Daly City, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Daly City, California as of October 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $3,046 and +69% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Daly City
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 Daly City
Compare Daly City'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? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Daly City.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Daly City |
|---|---|---|---|
| South San Francisco, CA | 3.6 mi | $2,130 | $-50 (-2%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 4.7 mi | $2,190 | +$10 (0%) |
| Pacifica, CA | 5.6 mi | $2,270 | +$90 (+4%) |
| San Francisco, CA | 6.9 mi | $2,319 | +$139 (+6%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 7.4 mi | $2,790 | +$610 (+28%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 11 mi | $2,409 | +$229 (+11%) |
| Sausalito, CA | 12.9 mi | $2,450 | +$270 (+12%) |
| San Mateo, CA | 13.7 mi | $2,537 | +$357 (+16%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 13.8 mi | $2,890 | +$710 (+33%) |
| Alameda, CA | 14.2 mi | $1,960 | $-220 (-10%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 15.4 mi | $2,070 | $-110 (-5%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 15.9 mi | $2,070 | $-110 (-5%) |
Studio rent in Daly City — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Daly City?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Daly City, California is $2,180 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $3,046.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Daly City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $87,200 ($7,267/month gross), which works out to roughly $41.92/hour at a full-time job.
Is Daly City expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Daly City's studio median of $2,180 is +69% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 93th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Daly City rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Daly City ranks #255 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Daly City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include South San Francisco ($2,130), Alameda ($1,960), Half Moon Bay ($2,070).