Studio Apartment Rent in Irvine, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Irvine, California as of July 2026. That's +12% lower than the citywide median of $3,390 and +133% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Irvine
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 Irvine
Compare Irvine'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 (this page) | $3,000 |
| 15 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Irvine.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Irvine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tustin, CA | 3.6 mi | $2,490 | $-510 (-17%) |
| Laguna Woods, CA | 6.3 mi | $2,160 | $-840 (-28%) |
| Santa Ana, CA | 7.3 mi | $2,000 | $-1,000 (-33%) |
| Lake Forest, CA | 7.3 mi | $2,675 | $-325 (-11%) |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 8.1 mi | $2,890 | $-110 (-4%) |
| Newport Beach, CA | 8.5 mi | $3,102 | +$102 (+3%) |
| Aliso Viejo, CA | 8.5 mi | $2,770 | $-230 (-8%) |
| Orange, CA | 8.8 mi | $2,228 | $-772 (-26%) |
| Laguna Hills, CA | 9 mi | $2,610 | $-390 (-13%) |
| Fountain Valley, CA | 11.5 mi | $2,520 | $-480 (-16%) |
| Anaheim, CA | 12.1 mi | $2,280 | $-720 (-24%) |
| Laguna Niguel, CA | 12.4 mi | $2,720 | $-280 (-9%) |
Studio rent in Irvine — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Irvine?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Irvine, California is $3,000 per month. This is +12% below the citywide median of $3,390.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Irvine?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $120,000 ($10,000/month gross), which works out to roughly $57.69/hour at a full-time job.
Is Irvine expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Irvine's studio median of $3,000 is +133% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Irvine rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Irvine ranks #370 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Irvine?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Tustin ($2,490), Laguna Woods ($2,160), Santa Ana ($2,000).