Studio Apartment Rent in El Cerrito, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in El Cerrito, California as of July 2026. That's +31% lower than the citywide median of $2,777 and +48% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in El Cerrito
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 El Cerrito
Compare El Cerrito'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? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than El Cerrito.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs El Cerrito |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, CA | 2.2 mi | $1,940 | +$30 (+2%) |
| Richmond, CA | 3.4 mi | $1,685 | $-225 (-12%) |
| Berkeley, CA | 3.7 mi | $1,913 | +$3 (0%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 4.3 mi | $1,709 | $-201 (-11%) |
| Pinole, CA | 5.1 mi | $1,970 | +$60 (+3%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 5.9 mi | $2,070 | +$160 (+8%) |
| Hercules, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,490 | +$580 (+30%) |
| Orinda, CA | 8.4 mi | $2,120 | +$210 (+11%) |
| Oakland, CA | 10.3 mi | $1,792 | $-118 (-6%) |
| Alameda, CA | 10.3 mi | $1,960 | +$50 (+3%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 12 mi | $2,890 | +$980 (+51%) |
| Martinez, CA | 12.2 mi | $1,750 | $-160 (-8%) |
Studio rent in El Cerrito — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in El Cerrito?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in El Cerrito, California is $1,910 per month. This is +31% below the citywide median of $2,777.
What income do you need to afford a studio in El Cerrito?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $76,400 ($6,367/month gross), which works out to roughly $36.73/hour at a full-time job.
Is El Cerrito expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
El Cerrito's studio median of $1,910 is +48% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 85th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does El Cerrito rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, El Cerrito ranks #171 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near El Cerrito?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Richmond ($1,685), San Pablo ($1,709), Oakland ($1,792).