Studio Apartment Rent in Palo Alto, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Palo Alto, California as of July 2026. That's +33% lower than the citywide median of $4,299 and +125% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Palo Alto
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 Palo Alto
Compare Palo Alto'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 Palo Alto.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Palo Alto |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Palo Alto, CA | 2.6 mi | $2,150 | $-750 (-26%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 3.1 mi | $2,560 | $-340 (-12%) |
| Mountain View, CA | 5 mi | $2,890 | $-10 (0%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 5 mi | $3,130 | +$230 (+8%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 7.5 mi | $2,560 | $-340 (-12%) |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 8.7 mi | $3,010 | +$110 (+4%) |
| Newark, CA | 9 mi | $1,990 | $-910 (-31%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 9.5 mi | $3,410 | +$510 (+18%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 10.2 mi | $2,430 | $-470 (-16%) |
| Foster City, CA | 12.4 mi | $3,130 | +$230 (+8%) |
| Belmont, CA | 12.4 mi | $2,530 | $-370 (-13%) |
| Fremont, CA | 12.8 mi | $2,425 | $-475 (-16%) |
Studio rent in Palo Alto — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Palo Alto?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Palo Alto, California is $2,900 per month. This is +33% below the citywide median of $4,299.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Palo Alto?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $116,000 ($9,667/month gross), which works out to roughly $55.77/hour at a full-time job.
Is Palo Alto expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Palo Alto's studio median of $2,900 is +125% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Palo Alto rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Palo Alto ranks #367 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Palo Alto?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include East Palo Alto ($2,150), Menlo Park ($2,560), Mountain View ($2,890).