Studio Apartment Rent in Santa Monica, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Santa Monica, California as of August 2026. That's +33% lower than the citywide median of $3,493 and +82% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Santa Monica
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 Santa Monica
Compare Santa Monica'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 Santa Monica.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Santa Monica |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina del Rey, CA | 3.9 mi | $2,790 | +$438 (+19%) |
| Culver City, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,400 | +$48 (+2%) |
| Beverly Hills, CA | 7 mi | $2,663 | +$311 (+13%) |
| West Hollywood, CA | 8.7 mi | $2,590 | +$238 (+10%) |
| El Segundo, CA | 9.3 mi | $2,470 | +$118 (+5%) |
| Topanga, CA | 10.7 mi | $2,790 | +$438 (+19%) |
| Inglewood, CA | 10.8 mi | $1,698 | $-654 (-28%) |
| Manhattan Beach, CA | 10.9 mi | $2,790 | +$438 (+19%) |
| Hawthorne, CA | 12.1 mi | $1,650 | $-702 (-30%) |
| Hermosa Beach, CA | 12.5 mi | $2,700 | +$348 (+15%) |
| Lawndale, CA | 13.2 mi | $1,770 | $-582 (-25%) |
| Westmont, CA | 13.9 mi | $1,233 | $-1,119 (-48%) |
Studio rent in Santa Monica — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Santa Monica?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Santa Monica, California is $2,352 per month. This is +33% below the citywide median of $3,493.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Santa Monica?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $94,080 ($7,840/month gross), which works out to roughly $45.23/hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Monica expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Santa Monica's studio median of $2,352 is +82% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Santa Monica rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Santa Monica ranks #285 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Santa Monica?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Inglewood ($1,698), Hawthorne ($1,650), Lawndale ($1,770).