Studio Apartment Rent in Foster City, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Foster City, California as of August 2026. That's +27% lower than the citywide median of $4,317 and +143% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $864 |
| 3 | Taft | $870 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Barstow | $915 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 8 | California City | $940 |
| 9 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 10 | Paradise | $970 |
| 11 | Eureka | $980 |
| 12 | Oroville | $985 |
| 13 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 14 | Florence-Graham | $1,029 |
| 15 | Porterville | $1,050 |
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 (this page) | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 13 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 14 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
| 15 | Saratoga | $2,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Foster City.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Foster City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont, CA | 3.6 mi | $2,530 | $-600 (-19%) |
| San Mateo, CA | 3.8 mi | $2,537 | $-593 (-19%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 4.1 mi | $2,430 | $-700 (-22%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 5 mi | $2,560 | $-570 (-18%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 5.7 mi | $2,409 | $-721 (-23%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 9.3 mi | $2,560 | $-570 (-18%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 9.7 mi | $2,790 | $-340 (-11%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 11.6 mi | $2,070 | $-1,060 (-34%) |
| Palo Alto, CA | 12.4 mi | $2,900 | $-230 (-7%) |
| San Lorenzo, CA | 12.4 mi | $1,910 | $-1,220 (-39%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 12.4 mi | $2,190 | $-940 (-30%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 12.5 mi | $2,150 | $-980 (-31%) |
Studio rent in Foster City — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Foster City?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Foster City, California is $3,130 per month. This is +27% below the citywide median of $4,317.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Foster City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $125,200 ($10,433/month gross), which works out to roughly $60.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is Foster City expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Foster City's studio median of $3,130 is +143% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 100th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Foster City rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Foster City ranks #371 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Foster City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Belmont ($2,530), San Mateo ($2,537), San Carlos ($2,430).