Studio Apartment Rent in Half Moon Bay, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Half Moon Bay, California as of July 2026. That's +54% lower than the citywide median of $4,542 and +60% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Half Moon Bay
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 Half Moon Bay
Compare Half Moon Bay'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
Most nearby cities have similar or higher studio rents than Half Moon Bay.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Half Moon Bay |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Mateo, CA | 8.1 mi | $2,537 | +$467 (+23%) |
| Belmont, CA | 8.4 mi | $2,530 | +$460 (+22%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 8.7 mi | $2,409 | +$339 (+16%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 9 mi | $2,790 | +$720 (+35%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 9.8 mi | $2,430 | +$360 (+17%) |
| Pacifica, CA | 10.5 mi | $2,270 | +$200 (+10%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 10.8 mi | $2,190 | +$120 (+6%) |
| Foster City, CA | 11.6 mi | $3,130 | +$1,060 (+51%) |
| South San Francisco, CA | 12.9 mi | $2,130 | +$60 (+3%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 12.9 mi | $2,560 | +$490 (+24%) |
| Daly City, CA | 15.4 mi | $2,180 | +$110 (+5%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 16.3 mi | $2,560 | +$490 (+24%) |
Studio rent in Half Moon Bay — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Half Moon Bay?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Half Moon Bay, California is $2,070 per month. This is +54% below the citywide median of $4,542.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Half Moon Bay?
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 Half Moon Bay expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Half Moon Bay's studio median of $2,070 is +60% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 90th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Half Moon Bay rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Half Moon Bay ranks #219 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Half Moon Bay?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher studio rents than Half Moon Bay.