Studio Apartment Rent in Lake Forest, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Lake Forest, California as of August 2026. That's +20% lower than the citywide median of $3,337 and +107% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Lake Forest
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 Lake Forest
Compare Lake Forest's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $864 |
| 3 | Taft | $870 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Barstow | $915 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 8 | California City | $940 |
| 9 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 10 | Paradise | $970 |
| 11 | Eureka | $980 |
| 12 | Oroville | $985 |
| 13 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 14 | Florence-Graham | $1,029 |
| 15 | Porterville | $1,050 |
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 | 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? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Lake Forest.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Lake Forest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna Woods, CA | 5.3 mi | $2,160 | $-515 (-19%) |
| Laguna Hills, CA | 5.6 mi | $2,610 | $-65 (-2%) |
| Rancho Santa Margarita, CA | 5.9 mi | $2,630 | $-45 (-2%) |
| Irvine, CA | 7.3 mi | $3,000 | +$325 (+12%) |
| Aliso Viejo, CA | 7.4 mi | $2,770 | +$95 (+4%) |
| Ladera Ranch, CA | 9.4 mi | $3,140 | +$465 (+17%) |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 9.4 mi | $2,890 | +$215 (+8%) |
| Tustin, CA | 9.5 mi | $2,490 | $-185 (-7%) |
| Laguna Niguel, CA | 9.9 mi | $2,720 | +$45 (+2%) |
| San Juan Capistrano, CA | 12.7 mi | $2,470 | $-205 (-8%) |
| Rancho Mission Viejo, CA | 12.7 mi | $2,715 | +$40 (+1%) |
| Dana Point, CA | 14.3 mi | $2,655 | $-20 (-1%) |
Studio rent in Lake Forest — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Lake Forest?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Lake Forest, California is $2,675 per month. This is +20% below the citywide median of $3,337.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Lake Forest?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $107,000 ($8,917/month gross), which works out to roughly $51.44/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lake Forest expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Lake Forest's studio median of $2,675 is +107% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lake Forest rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Lake Forest ranks #337 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Lake Forest?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Laguna Woods ($2,160), Laguna Hills ($2,610), Rancho Santa Margarita ($2,630).