Studio Apartment Rent in Los Angeles, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Los Angeles, California as of July 2026. That's +27% lower than the citywide median of $2,773 and +58% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Los Angeles
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 Los Angeles
Compare Los Angeles'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 | $3,000 |
| 15 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Los Angeles.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Los Angeles, CA | 5.2 mi | $1,600 | $-435 (-21%) |
| Huntington Park, CA | 5.3 mi | $1,600 | $-435 (-21%) |
| Florence-Graham, CA | 6 mi | $1,029 | $-1,006 (-49%) |
| South Pasadena, CA | 7.2 mi | $2,130 | +$95 (+5%) |
| Glendale, CA | 7.6 mi | $2,099 | +$64 (+3%) |
| Alhambra, CA | 7.7 mi | $1,700 | $-335 (-16%) |
| Monterey Park, CA | 7.9 mi | $1,625 | $-410 (-20%) |
| South Gate, CA | 8.2 mi | $1,600 | $-435 (-21%) |
| Westmont, CA | 8.6 mi | $1,233 | $-802 (-39%) |
| Lynwood, CA | 9.4 mi | $1,600 | $-435 (-21%) |
| Montebello, CA | 9.5 mi | $1,650 | $-385 (-19%) |
| Inglewood, CA | 9.8 mi | $1,698 | $-337 (-17%) |
Studio rent in Los Angeles — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Los Angeles?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Los Angeles, California is $2,035 per month. This is +27% below the citywide median of $2,773.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Los Angeles?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $81,400 ($6,783/month gross), which works out to roughly $39.13/hour at a full-time job.
Is Los Angeles expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Los Angeles's studio median of $2,035 is +58% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 89th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Los Angeles rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Los Angeles ranks #207 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Los Angeles?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include East Los Angeles ($1,600), Huntington Park ($1,600), Florence-Graham ($1,029).