Studio Apartment Rent in San Carlos, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in San Carlos, California as of July 2026. That's +50% lower than the citywide median of $4,837 and +88% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in San Carlos
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 Carlos
Compare San Carlos'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? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than San Carlos.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs San Carlos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont, CA | 2.2 mi | $2,530 | +$100 (+4%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 3.2 mi | $2,560 | +$130 (+5%) |
| Foster City, CA | 4.1 mi | $3,130 | +$700 (+29%) |
| San Mateo, CA | 4.9 mi | $2,537 | +$107 (+4%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 7.1 mi | $2,560 | +$130 (+5%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 7.6 mi | $2,409 | $-21 (-1%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 9.8 mi | $2,070 | $-360 (-15%) |
| Palo Alto, CA | 10.2 mi | $2,900 | +$470 (+19%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 11.2 mi | $2,150 | $-280 (-12%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 11.4 mi | $2,790 | +$360 (+15%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 13 mi | $3,130 | +$700 (+29%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 14.2 mi | $2,190 | $-240 (-10%) |
Studio rent in San Carlos — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in San Carlos?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in San Carlos, California is $2,430 per month. This is +50% below the citywide median of $4,837.
What income do you need to afford a studio in San Carlos?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $97,200 ($8,100/month gross), which works out to roughly $46.73/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Carlos expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
San Carlos's studio median of $2,430 is +88% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 96th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Carlos rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, San Carlos ranks #303 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near San Carlos?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Burlingame ($2,409), Half Moon Bay ($2,070), East Palo Alto ($2,150).