Studio Apartment Rent in Hayward, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Hayward, California as of July 2026. That's +26% lower than the citywide median of $2,615 and +50% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Hayward
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 Hayward
Compare Hayward'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
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Hayward.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Hayward |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Lorenzo, CA | 4.5 mi | $1,910 | $-25 (-1%) |
| Union City, CA | 4.9 mi | $2,070 | +$135 (+7%) |
| Castro Valley, CA | 4.9 mi | $1,850 | $-85 (-4%) |
| San Leandro, CA | 6.7 mi | $1,715 | $-220 (-11%) |
| Fremont, CA | 9.7 mi | $2,425 | +$490 (+25%) |
| Newark, CA | 10 mi | $1,990 | +$55 (+3%) |
| San Ramon, CA | 12.1 mi | $2,405 | +$470 (+24%) |
| Dublin, CA | 12.2 mi | $2,590 | +$655 (+34%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 13.1 mi | $2,150 | +$215 (+11%) |
| Moraga, CA | 13.9 mi | $2,270 | +$335 (+17%) |
| Oakland, CA | 14.4 mi | $1,792 | $-143 (-7%) |
| Foster City, CA | 14.5 mi | $3,130 | +$1,195 (+62%) |
Studio rent in Hayward — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Hayward?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Hayward, California is $1,935 per month. This is +26% below the citywide median of $2,615.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Hayward?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $77,400 ($6,450/month gross), which works out to roughly $37.21/hour at a full-time job.
Is Hayward expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Hayward's studio median of $1,935 is +50% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 85th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Hayward rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Hayward ranks #178 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Hayward?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include San Lorenzo ($1,910), Castro Valley ($1,850), San Leandro ($1,715).