Studio Apartment Rent in Riverside, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Riverside, California as of August 2026. That's +18% lower than the citywide median of $2,441 and +55% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Riverside
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 Riverside
Compare Riverside'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? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Riverside.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Riverside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jurupa Valley, CA | 8.2 mi | $1,900 | $-101 (-5%) |
| Grand Terrace, CA | 8.7 mi | $1,780 | $-221 (-11%) |
| Colton, CA | 9.5 mi | $1,730 | $-271 (-14%) |
| Moreno Valley, CA | 12.4 mi | $2,063 | +$62 (+3%) |
| Fontana, CA | 12.5 mi | $2,043 | +$42 (+2%) |
| Rialto, CA | 12.5 mi | $1,690 | $-311 (-16%) |
| Loma Linda, CA | 12.8 mi | $1,810 | $-191 (-10%) |
| Perris, CA | 14.4 mi | $1,990 | $-11 (-1%) |
| Eastvale, CA | 15 mi | $2,660 | +$659 (+33%) |
| Redlands, CA | 17.2 mi | $2,030 | +$29 (+1%) |
| Lake Elsinore, CA | 18.2 mi | $2,180 | +$179 (+9%) |
| Ontario, CA | 18.3 mi | $2,067 | +$66 (+3%) |
Studio rent in Riverside — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Riverside?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Riverside, California is $2,001 per month. This is +18% below the citywide median of $2,441.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Riverside?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $80,040 ($6,670/month gross), which works out to roughly $38.48/hour at a full-time job.
Is Riverside expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Riverside's studio median of $2,001 is +55% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 88th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Riverside rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Riverside ranks #193 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Riverside?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Jurupa Valley ($1,900), Grand Terrace ($1,780), Colton ($1,730).