Studio Apartment Rent in Isla Vista, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Isla Vista, California as of October 2026. That's +84% lower than the citywide median of $9,714 and +19% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Isla Vista
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 Isla Vista
Compare Isla Vista'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
Most nearby cities have similar or higher studio rents than Isla Vista.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Isla Vista |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara, CA | 8.3 mi | $3,000 | +$1,465 (+95%) |
| Goleta, CA | 16.3 mi | $2,600 | +$1,065 (+69%) |
| Montecito, CA | 16.7 mi | $3,570 | +$2,035 (+133%) |
| Carpinteria, CA | 23.7 mi | $2,720 | +$1,185 (+77%) |
| Ventura, CA | 35 mi | $1,943 | +$408 (+27%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 36.4 mi | $2,100 | +$565 (+37%) |
| Ojai, CA | 38.6 mi | $1,650 | +$115 (+7%) |
| Oxnard, CA | 49.2 mi | $1,720 | +$185 (+12%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 50.2 mi | $2,257 | +$722 (+47%) |
| Santa Paula, CA | 52.6 mi | $1,560 | +$25 (+2%) |
| Port Hueneme, CA | 56.4 mi | $1,760 | +$225 (+15%) |
| Camarillo, CA | 58.3 mi | $2,130 | +$595 (+39%) |
Studio rent in Isla Vista — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Isla Vista?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Isla Vista, California is $1,535 per month. This is +84% below the citywide median of $9,714.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Isla Vista?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $61,400 ($5,117/month gross), which works out to roughly $29.52/hour at a full-time job.
Is Isla Vista expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Isla Vista's studio median of $1,535 is +19% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 67th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Isla Vista rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Isla Vista ranks #67 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Isla Vista?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher studio rents than Isla Vista.