Studio Apartment Rent in Mill Valley, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Mill Valley, California as of August 2026. That's +52% lower than the citywide median of $5,230 and +96% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Mill Valley
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 Mill Valley
Compare Mill Valley'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 Mill Valley.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Mill Valley |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sausalito, CA | 3.3 mi | $2,450 | $-80 (-3%) |
| Larkspur, CA | 3.5 mi | $2,550 | +$20 (+1%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 4.5 mi | $2,770 | +$240 (+9%) |
| Fairfax, CA | 4.9 mi | $2,070 | $-460 (-18%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,890 | +$360 (+14%) |
| San Anselmo, CA | 6.9 mi | $2,210 | $-320 (-13%) |
| San Rafael, CA | 7.5 mi | $2,330 | $-200 (-8%) |
| San Francisco, CA | 13 mi | $2,319 | $-211 (-8%) |
| Novato, CA | 14.1 mi | $2,097 | $-433 (-17%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 15.7 mi | $1,709 | $-821 (-32%) |
| Richmond, CA | 16.1 mi | $1,685 | $-845 (-33%) |
| Daly City, CA | 16.1 mi | $2,180 | $-350 (-14%) |
Studio rent in Mill Valley — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Mill Valley?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Mill Valley, California is $2,530 per month. This is +52% below the citywide median of $5,230.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Mill Valley?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $101,200 ($8,433/month gross), which works out to roughly $48.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Mill Valley expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Mill Valley's studio median of $2,530 is +96% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Mill Valley rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Mill Valley ranks #313 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Mill Valley?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Sausalito ($2,450), Fairfax ($2,070), San Anselmo ($2,210).