Studio Apartment Rent in Fresno, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Fresno, California as of October 2026. That's +35% lower than the citywide median of $1,945 and +2% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Fresno
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 Fresno
Compare Fresno'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 | $887 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 7 | California City | $940 |
| 8 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 9 | Paradise | $970 |
| 10 | Eureka | $980 |
| 11 | Oroville | $985 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 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 | 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 Fresno.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Fresno |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clovis, CA | 9.3 mi | $1,640 | +$373 (+29%) |
| Madera, CA | 20.5 mi | $1,260 | $-7 (-1%) |
| Lemoore, CA | 34.5 mi | $1,390 | +$123 (+10%) |
| Hanford, CA | 36 mi | $1,120 | $-147 (-12%) |
| Visalia, CA | 43.6 mi | $1,183 | $-84 (-7%) |
| Tulare, CA | 50.8 mi | $1,130 | $-137 (-11%) |
| Merced, CA | 60.4 mi | $1,090 | $-177 (-14%) |
| Atwater, CA | 70.6 mi | $1,070 | $-197 (-16%) |
| Los Banos, CA | 75.9 mi | $1,250 | $-17 (-1%) |
| Porterville, CA | 84.2 mi | $1,050 | $-217 (-17%) |
| Turlock, CA | 89.5 mi | $1,145 | $-122 (-10%) |
| Shafter, CA | 95.7 mi | $1,060 | $-207 (-16%) |
Studio rent in Fresno — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Fresno?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Fresno, California is $1,267 per month. This is +35% below the citywide median of $1,945.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Fresno?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $50,680 ($4,223/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.37/hour at a full-time job.
Is Fresno expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Fresno's studio median of $1,267 is +2% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 48th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Fresno rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Fresno ranks #38 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Fresno?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Madera ($1,260), Hanford ($1,120), Visalia ($1,183).