Studio Apartment Rent in Petaluma, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Petaluma, California as of July 2026. That's +25% lower than the citywide median of $2,927 and +69% above the national studio median of $1,295.
Income needed for a studio in Petaluma
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 Petaluma
Compare Petaluma'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 Petaluma.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Petaluma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohnert Park, CA | 8.1 mi | $2,030 | $-160 (-7%) |
| Novato, CA | 11.5 mi | $2,097 | $-93 (-4%) |
| Sonoma, CA | 13.3 mi | $1,840 | $-350 (-16%) |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 16.1 mi | $1,888 | $-302 (-14%) |
| San Anselmo, CA | 17.4 mi | $2,210 | +$20 (+1%) |
| Sebastopol, CA | 18 mi | $1,780 | $-410 (-19%) |
| San Rafael, CA | 18.6 mi | $2,330 | +$140 (+6%) |
| Fairfax, CA | 20.3 mi | $2,070 | $-120 (-5%) |
| Larkspur, CA | 22.3 mi | $2,550 | +$360 (+16%) |
| Windsor, CA | 23.1 mi | $2,130 | $-60 (-3%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 23.4 mi | $2,770 | +$580 (+26%) |
| Mill Valley, CA | 24.2 mi | $2,530 | +$340 (+16%) |
Studio rent in Petaluma — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Petaluma?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Petaluma, California is $2,190 per month. This is +25% below the citywide median of $2,927.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Petaluma?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $87,600 ($7,300/month gross), which works out to roughly $42.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is Petaluma expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Petaluma's studio median of $2,190 is +69% above the national studio median of $1,295. It ranks in the 93th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Petaluma rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Petaluma ranks #264 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Petaluma?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Rohnert Park ($2,030), Novato ($2,097), Sonoma ($1,840).