Studio Apartment Rent in Millbrae, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Millbrae, California as of August 2026. That's +26% lower than the citywide median of $3,767 and +116% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Millbrae
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 Millbrae
Compare Millbrae'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 Millbrae.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Millbrae |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Bruno, CA | 2.8 mi | $2,190 | $-600 (-22%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 4 mi | $2,409 | $-381 (-14%) |
| South San Francisco, CA | 4.1 mi | $2,130 | $-660 (-24%) |
| Pacifica, CA | 5.2 mi | $2,270 | $-520 (-19%) |
| San Mateo, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,537 | $-253 (-9%) |
| Daly City, CA | 7.4 mi | $2,180 | $-610 (-22%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 9 mi | $2,070 | $-720 (-26%) |
| Belmont, CA | 9.2 mi | $2,530 | $-260 (-9%) |
| Foster City, CA | 9.7 mi | $3,130 | +$340 (+12%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 11.4 mi | $2,430 | $-360 (-13%) |
| San Francisco, CA | 12.2 mi | $2,319 | $-471 (-17%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 14 mi | $2,560 | $-230 (-8%) |
Studio rent in Millbrae — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Millbrae?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Millbrae, California is $2,790 per month. This is +26% below the citywide median of $3,767.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Millbrae?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $111,600 ($9,300/month gross), which works out to roughly $53.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Millbrae expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Millbrae's studio median of $2,790 is +116% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Millbrae rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Millbrae ranks #356 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Millbrae?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include San Bruno ($2,190), Burlingame ($2,409), South San Francisco ($2,130).