Studio Apartment Rent in Fairfax, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Fairfax, California as of September 2026. That's +34% lower than the citywide median of $3,150 and +60% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Fairfax
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 Fairfax
Compare Fairfax'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 | $878 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 7 | California City | $940 |
| 8 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 9 | Eureka | $980 |
| 10 | Oroville | $985 |
| 11 | Florence-Graham | $1,029 |
| 12 | Newman | $1,030 |
| 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 | 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 Fairfax.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Fairfax |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Anselmo, CA | 4.5 mi | $2,210 | +$140 (+7%) |
| Mill Valley, CA | 4.9 mi | $2,530 | +$460 (+22%) |
| Larkspur, CA | 5.8 mi | $2,550 | +$480 (+23%) |
| San Rafael, CA | 7.3 mi | $2,330 | +$260 (+13%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 7.5 mi | $2,770 | +$700 (+34%) |
| Sausalito, CA | 7.9 mi | $2,450 | +$380 (+18%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 11 mi | $2,890 | +$820 (+40%) |
| Novato, CA | 11.7 mi | $2,097 | +$27 (+1%) |
| San Francisco, CA | 17.9 mi | $2,319 | +$249 (+12%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 18.7 mi | $1,709 | $-361 (-17%) |
| Richmond, CA | 19.4 mi | $1,685 | $-385 (-19%) |
| Petaluma, CA | 20.3 mi | $2,190 | +$120 (+6%) |
Studio rent in Fairfax — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Fairfax?
As of September 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Fairfax, California is $2,070 per month. This is +34% below the citywide median of $3,150.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Fairfax?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $82,800 ($6,900/month gross), which works out to roughly $39.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is Fairfax expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Fairfax's studio median of $2,070 is +60% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 89th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Fairfax rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with studio data, Fairfax ranks #214 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Fairfax?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include San Pablo ($1,709), Richmond ($1,685).