Studio Apartment Rent in Mountain View, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Mountain View, California as of July 2026. That's +33% lower than the citywide median of $4,334 and +124% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Mountain View
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 Mountain View
Compare Mountain View'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 Mountain View.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Mountain View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunnyvale, CA | 3.8 mi | $3,010 | +$120 (+4%) |
| Palo Alto, CA | 5 mi | $2,900 | +$10 (0%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 5.1 mi | $2,150 | $-740 (-26%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 5.3 mi | $3,130 | +$240 (+8%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 6.1 mi | $3,410 | +$520 (+18%) |
| Santa Clara, CA | 7.9 mi | $2,770 | $-120 (-4%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 8.1 mi | $2,560 | $-330 (-11%) |
| Newark, CA | 8.2 mi | $1,990 | $-900 (-31%) |
| Saratoga, CA | 9.5 mi | $2,910 | +$20 (+1%) |
| Fremont, CA | 11.5 mi | $2,425 | $-465 (-16%) |
| Campbell, CA | 11.6 mi | $2,540 | $-350 (-12%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 12.5 mi | $2,560 | $-330 (-11%) |
Studio rent in Mountain View — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Mountain View?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Mountain View, California is $2,890 per month. This is +33% below the citywide median of $4,334.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Mountain View?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $115,600 ($9,633/month gross), which works out to roughly $55.58/hour at a full-time job.
Is Mountain View expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Mountain View's studio median of $2,890 is +124% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Mountain View rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Mountain View ranks #365 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Mountain View?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include East Palo Alto ($2,150), Santa Clara ($2,770), Menlo Park ($2,560).