Studio Apartment Rent in Downey, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Downey, California as of July 2026. That's +21% lower than the citywide median of $2,312 and +41% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Downey
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 Downey
Compare Downey'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 Downey.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Downey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellflower, CA | 3.6 mi | $1,680 | $-137 (-8%) |
| Paramount, CA | 3.8 mi | $1,630 | $-187 (-10%) |
| Norwalk, CA | 3.9 mi | $1,730 | $-87 (-5%) |
| Pico Rivera, CA | 4.4 mi | $1,770 | $-47 (-3%) |
| South Gate, CA | 4.4 mi | $1,600 | $-217 (-12%) |
| Lynwood, CA | 5 mi | $1,600 | $-217 (-12%) |
| Montebello, CA | 5.4 mi | $1,650 | $-167 (-9%) |
| Compton, CA | 6.5 mi | $1,600 | $-217 (-12%) |
| Lakewood, CA | 6.5 mi | $2,307 | +$490 (+27%) |
| Huntington Park, CA | 6.7 mi | $1,600 | $-217 (-12%) |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 7.2 mi | $1,600 | $-217 (-12%) |
| Whittier, CA | 7.4 mi | $1,854 | +$37 (+2%) |
Studio rent in Downey — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Downey?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Downey, California is $1,817 per month. This is +21% below the citywide median of $2,312.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Downey?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $72,680 ($6,057/month gross), which works out to roughly $34.94/hour at a full-time job.
Is Downey expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Downey's studio median of $1,817 is +41% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 81th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Downey rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Downey ranks #145 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Downey?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Bellflower ($1,680), Paramount ($1,630), Norwalk ($1,730).