Studio Apartment Rent in Monterey, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Monterey, California as of October 2026. That's +25% lower than the citywide median of $2,696 and +56% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Monterey
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 Monterey
Compare Monterey's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Taft | $870 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 7 | California City | $940 |
| 8 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 9 | Paradise | $970 |
| 10 | Eureka | $980 |
| 11 | Oroville | $985 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 14 | Anderson | $1,060 |
| 15 | Shafter | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $3,570 |
| 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? 1 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Monterey.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Monterey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seaside, CA | 4.6 mi | $2,540 | +$523 (+26%) |
| Pacific Grove, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,379 | +$362 (+18%) |
| Marina, CA | 8.6 mi | $2,250 | +$233 (+12%) |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA | 8.7 mi | $2,730 | +$713 (+35%) |
| Salinas, CA | 16.7 mi | $1,886 | $-131 (-6%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 26.3 mi | $2,570 | +$553 (+27%) |
| Capitola, CA | 28.8 mi | $3,100 | +$1,083 (+54%) |
| Aptos, CA | 29.9 mi | $3,420 | +$1,403 (+70%) |
| Soquel, CA | 32.8 mi | $2,024 | +$7 (0%) |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 33.1 mi | $2,428 | +$411 (+20%) |
| Scotts Valley, CA | 36.1 mi | $3,420 | +$1,403 (+70%) |
| Gilroy, CA | 36.4 mi | $2,150 | +$133 (+7%) |
Studio rent in Monterey — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Monterey?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Monterey, California is $2,017 per month. This is +25% below the citywide median of $2,696.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Monterey?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $80,680 ($6,723/month gross), which works out to roughly $38.79/hour at a full-time job.
Is Monterey expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Monterey's studio median of $2,017 is +56% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 88th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Monterey rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Monterey ranks #198 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Monterey?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Salinas ($1,886).