Studio Apartment Rent in Shafter, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Shafter, California as of July 2026. That's +60% lower than the citywide median of $2,640 and +18% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Shafter
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 Shafter
Compare Shafter'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? 2 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Shafter.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Shafter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taft, CA | 24.7 mi | $870 | $-190 (-18%) |
| Porterville, CA | 45.1 mi | $1,050 | $-10 (-1%) |
| Tulare, CA | 47.6 mi | $1,130 | +$70 (+7%) |
| Exeter, CA | 58.2 mi | $1,140 | +$80 (+8%) |
| Visalia, CA | 59.6 mi | $1,183 | +$123 (+12%) |
| Hanford, CA | 59.8 mi | $1,120 | +$60 (+6%) |
| Tehachapi, CA | 60.5 mi | $1,100 | +$40 (+4%) |
| Ojai, CA | 66.4 mi | $1,650 | +$590 (+56%) |
| Lemoore, CA | 66.7 mi | $1,390 | +$330 (+31%) |
| Carpinteria, CA | 74.2 mi | $2,720 | +$1,660 (+157%) |
| Montecito, CA | 75.6 mi | $3,570 | +$2,510 (+237%) |
| Santa Paula, CA | 76.4 mi | $1,560 | +$500 (+47%) |
Studio rent in Shafter — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Shafter?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Shafter, California is $1,060 per month. This is +60% below the citywide median of $2,640.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Shafter?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $42,400 ($3,533/month gross), which works out to roughly $20.38/hour at a full-time job.
Is Shafter expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Shafter's studio median of $1,060 is +18% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 32th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Shafter rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Shafter ranks #16 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Shafter?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Taft ($870), Porterville ($1,050).