1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Foster City, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Foster City, California as of July 2026. That's +9% lower than the citywide median of $4,181 and +174% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Foster 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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Foster City
Compare Foster City's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City (this page) | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Foster City.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Foster City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont, CA | 3.6 mi | $3,090 | $-730 (-19%) |
| San Mateo, CA | 3.8 mi | $3,100 | $-720 (-19%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 4.1 mi | $2,970 | $-850 (-22%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 5 mi | $3,133 | $-687 (-18%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 5.7 mi | $2,445 | $-1,375 (-36%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 9.3 mi | $3,130 | $-690 (-18%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 9.7 mi | $3,410 | $-410 (-11%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 11.6 mi | $2,540 | $-1,280 (-34%) |
| Palo Alto, CA | 12.4 mi | $3,305 | $-515 (-13%) |
| San Lorenzo, CA | 12.4 mi | $2,170 | $-1,650 (-43%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 12.4 mi | $2,670 | $-1,150 (-30%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 12.5 mi | $2,550 | $-1,270 (-33%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Foster City — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Foster City?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Foster City, California is $3,820 per month. This is +9% below the citywide median of $4,181.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Foster City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $152,800 ($12,733/month gross), which works out to roughly $73.46/hour at a full-time job.
Is Foster City expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Foster City's 1-bedroom median of $3,820 is +174% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 100th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Foster City rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Foster City ranks #384 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Foster City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Belmont ($3,090), San Mateo ($3,100), San Carlos ($2,970).