Studio Apartment Rent in Modesto, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Modesto, California as of August 2026. That's +43% lower than the citywide median of $2,015 and +11% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Modesto
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 Modesto
Compare Modesto'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? 3 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Modesto.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Modesto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverbank, CA | 6.8 mi | $1,180 | +$37 (+3%) |
| Ceres, CA | 8.1 mi | $1,130 | $-13 (-1%) |
| Turlock, CA | 14.6 mi | $1,145 | +$2 (0%) |
| Manteca, CA | 17.1 mi | $1,430 | +$287 (+25%) |
| Oakdale, CA | 19.5 mi | $1,130 | $-13 (-1%) |
| Lathrop, CA | 23.4 mi | $1,660 | +$517 (+45%) |
| Stockton, CA | 33.3 mi | $1,289 | +$146 (+13%) |
| Tracy, CA | 33.5 mi | $1,773 | +$630 (+55%) |
| Atwater, CA | 33.7 mi | $1,070 | $-73 (-6%) |
| Lodi, CA | 36.9 mi | $1,310 | +$167 (+15%) |
| Los Banos, CA | 42.2 mi | $1,250 | +$107 (+9%) |
| Discovery Bay, CA | 43.2 mi | $2,510 | +$1,367 (+120%) |
Studio rent in Modesto — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Modesto?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Modesto, California is $1,143 per month. This is +43% below the citywide median of $2,015.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Modesto?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $45,720 ($3,810/month gross), which works out to roughly $21.98/hour at a full-time job.
Is Modesto expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Modesto's studio median of $1,143 is +11% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 39th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Modesto rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Modesto ranks #28 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Modesto?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Ceres ($1,130), Oakdale ($1,130), Atwater ($1,070).