Studio Apartment Rent in Imperial Beach, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Imperial Beach, California as of October 2026. That's +32% lower than the citywide median of $2,822 and +48% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Imperial Beach
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 Imperial Beach
Compare Imperial Beach'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? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Imperial Beach.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Imperial Beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| National City, CA | 6.9 mi | $1,600 | $-310 (-16%) |
| Chula Vista, CA | 9.4 mi | $2,626 | +$716 (+37%) |
| San Diego, CA | 10.2 mi | $2,363 | +$453 (+24%) |
| Coronado, CA | 10.6 mi | $3,190 | +$1,280 (+67%) |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 12.5 mi | $1,760 | $-150 (-8%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 13.7 mi | $1,760 | $-150 (-8%) |
| La Mesa, CA | 15.5 mi | $1,995 | +$85 (+4%) |
| Santee, CA | 21.3 mi | $2,010 | +$100 (+5%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 21.7 mi | $1,923 | +$13 (+1%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 28 mi | $1,860 | $-50 (-3%) |
| Poway, CA | 29.1 mi | $2,150 | +$240 (+13%) |
| Solana Beach, CA | 30.8 mi | $2,970 | +$1,060 (+55%) |
Studio rent in Imperial Beach — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Imperial Beach?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Imperial Beach, California is $1,910 per month. This is +32% below the citywide median of $2,822.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Imperial Beach?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $76,400 ($6,367/month gross), which works out to roughly $36.73/hour at a full-time job.
Is Imperial Beach expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Imperial Beach's studio median of $1,910 is +48% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 85th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Imperial Beach rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Imperial Beach ranks #173 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Imperial Beach?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include National City ($1,600), Lemon Grove ($1,760), Spring Valley ($1,760).