Studio Apartment Rent in East Palo Alto, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in East Palo Alto, California as of July 2026. That's +40% lower than the citywide median of $3,608 and +67% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in East Palo Alto
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 East Palo Alto
Compare East Palo Alto'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? 2 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than East Palo Alto.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs East Palo Alto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto, CA | 2.6 mi | $2,900 | +$750 (+35%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 4.2 mi | $2,560 | +$410 (+19%) |
| Mountain View, CA | 5.1 mi | $2,890 | +$740 (+34%) |
| Newark, CA | 6.5 mi | $1,990 | $-160 (-7%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 7.2 mi | $3,130 | +$980 (+46%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 8.1 mi | $2,560 | +$410 (+19%) |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 8.3 mi | $3,010 | +$860 (+40%) |
| Fremont, CA | 10.3 mi | $2,425 | +$275 (+13%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 10.7 mi | $3,410 | +$1,260 (+59%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 11.2 mi | $2,430 | +$280 (+13%) |
| Union City, CA | 12 mi | $2,070 | $-80 (-4%) |
| Santa Clara, CA | 12.1 mi | $2,770 | +$620 (+29%) |
Studio rent in East Palo Alto — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in East Palo Alto?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in East Palo Alto, California is $2,150 per month. This is +40% below the citywide median of $3,608.
What income do you need to afford a studio in East Palo Alto?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $86,000 ($7,167/month gross), which works out to roughly $41.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is East Palo Alto expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
East Palo Alto's studio median of $2,150 is +67% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 92th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does East Palo Alto rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, East Palo Alto ranks #253 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near East Palo Alto?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Newark ($1,990), Union City ($2,070).