Studio Apartment Rent in San Francisco, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in San Francisco, California as of October 2026. That's +52% lower than the citywide median of $4,784 and +80% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in San Francisco
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 Francisco
Compare San Francisco's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Taft | $870 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 7 | California City | $940 |
| 8 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 9 | Paradise | $970 |
| 10 | Eureka | $980 |
| 11 | Oroville | $985 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 14 | Anderson | $1,060 |
| 15 | Shafter | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $3,570 |
| 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 San Francisco.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daly City, CA | 6.9 mi | $2,180 | $-139 (-6%) |
| South San Francisco, CA | 8.2 mi | $2,130 | $-189 (-8%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 8.4 mi | $2,890 | +$571 (+25%) |
| Alameda, CA | 9.7 mi | $1,960 | $-359 (-15%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 10 mi | $2,070 | $-249 (-11%) |
| Sausalito, CA | 10.3 mi | $2,450 | +$131 (+6%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 10.4 mi | $2,190 | $-129 (-6%) |
| Albany, CA | 11.7 mi | $1,940 | $-379 (-16%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 12.2 mi | $2,790 | +$471 (+20%) |
| Berkeley, CA | 12.3 mi | $1,913 | $-406 (-18%) |
| Pacifica, CA | 12.3 mi | $2,270 | $-49 (-2%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 12.4 mi | $2,770 | +$451 (+19%) |
Studio rent in San Francisco — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in San Francisco?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in San Francisco, California is $2,319 per month. This is +52% below the citywide median of $4,784.
What income do you need to afford a studio in San Francisco?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $92,760 ($7,730/month gross), which works out to roughly $44.60/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Francisco expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
San Francisco's studio median of $2,319 is +80% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Francisco rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, San Francisco ranks #277 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near San Francisco?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Daly City ($2,180), South San Francisco ($2,130), Alameda ($1,960).