Studio Apartment Rent in San Bruno, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in San Bruno, California as of August 2026. That's +34% lower than the citywide median of $3,338 and +70% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in San Bruno
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 San Bruno
Compare San Bruno'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? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than San Bruno.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs San Bruno |
|---|---|---|---|
| South San Francisco, CA | 2.2 mi | $2,130 | $-60 (-3%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 2.8 mi | $2,790 | +$600 (+27%) |
| Pacifica, CA | 3.3 mi | $2,270 | +$80 (+4%) |
| Daly City, CA | 4.7 mi | $2,180 | $-10 (0%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 6.8 mi | $2,409 | +$219 (+10%) |
| San Mateo, CA | 9.4 mi | $2,537 | +$347 (+16%) |
| San Francisco, CA | 10.4 mi | $2,319 | +$129 (+6%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 10.8 mi | $2,070 | $-120 (-5%) |
| Belmont, CA | 12 mi | $2,530 | +$340 (+16%) |
| Foster City, CA | 12.4 mi | $3,130 | +$940 (+43%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 14.2 mi | $2,430 | +$240 (+11%) |
| Alameda, CA | 14.8 mi | $1,960 | $-230 (-11%) |
Studio rent in San Bruno — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in San Bruno?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in San Bruno, California is $2,190 per month. This is +34% below the citywide median of $3,338.
What income do you need to afford a studio in San Bruno?
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 San Bruno expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
San Bruno's studio median of $2,190 is +70% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 93th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Bruno rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, San Bruno ranks #260 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near San Bruno?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include South San Francisco ($2,130), Daly City ($2,180), Half Moon Bay ($2,070).