Studio Apartment Rent in San Clemente, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in San Clemente, California as of July 2026. That's +19% lower than the citywide median of $3,442 and +116% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in San Clemente
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 Clemente
Compare San Clemente'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 San Clemente.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs San Clemente |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan Capistrano, CA | 3.9 mi | $2,470 | $-320 (-11%) |
| Dana Point, CA | 5.1 mi | $2,655 | $-135 (-5%) |
| Rancho Mission Viejo, CA | 5.4 mi | $2,715 | $-75 (-3%) |
| Ladera Ranch, CA | 7.1 mi | $3,140 | +$350 (+13%) |
| Laguna Niguel, CA | 8.5 mi | $2,720 | $-70 (-3%) |
| Coto de Caza, CA | 11.1 mi | $3,070 | +$280 (+10%) |
| Laguna Hills, CA | 11.7 mi | $2,610 | $-180 (-6%) |
| Rancho Santa Margarita, CA | 12 mi | $2,630 | $-160 (-6%) |
| Aliso Viejo, CA | 12.2 mi | $2,770 | $-20 (-1%) |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 14.2 mi | $2,890 | +$100 (+4%) |
| Laguna Woods, CA | 14.3 mi | $2,160 | $-630 (-23%) |
| Lake Forest, CA | 16.3 mi | $2,675 | $-115 (-4%) |
Studio rent in San Clemente — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in San Clemente?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in San Clemente, California is $2,790 per month. This is +19% below the citywide median of $3,442.
What income do you need to afford a studio in San Clemente?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $111,600 ($9,300/month gross), which works out to roughly $53.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Clemente expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
San Clemente's studio median of $2,790 is +116% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Clemente rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, San Clemente ranks #362 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near San Clemente?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include San Juan Capistrano ($2,470), Dana Point ($2,655), Rancho Mission Viejo ($2,715).