Studio Apartment Rent in Imperial, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Imperial, California as of October 2026. That's +44% lower than the citywide median of $2,138 and +7% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Imperial
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
Compare Imperial'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? 1 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Imperial.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Imperial |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro, CA | 9.3 mi | $910 | $-290 (-24%) |
| La Quinta, CA | 66.8 mi | $1,880 | +$680 (+57%) |
| Indio, CA | 69.9 mi | $1,715 | +$515 (+43%) |
| Alpine, CA | 71.6 mi | $2,040 | +$840 (+70%) |
| Palm Desert, CA | 76 mi | $1,865 | +$665 (+55%) |
| Rancho Mirage, CA | 80.4 mi | $1,850 | +$650 (+54%) |
| Ramona, CA | 81.9 mi | $2,070 | +$870 (+73%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 84 mi | $1,860 | +$660 (+55%) |
| Cathedral City, CA | 84.6 mi | $1,660 | +$460 (+38%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 85.1 mi | $1,923 | +$723 (+60%) |
| Palm Springs, CA | 85.9 mi | $1,785 | +$585 (+49%) |
| Desert Hot Springs, CA | 86.3 mi | $1,370 | +$170 (+14%) |
Studio rent in Imperial — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Imperial?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Imperial, California is $1,200 per month. This is +44% below the citywide median of $2,138.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Imperial?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $48,000 ($4,000/month gross), which works out to roughly $23.08/hour at a full-time job.
Is Imperial expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Imperial's studio median of $1,200 is +7% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 43th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Imperial rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Imperial ranks #32 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Imperial?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include El Centro ($910).