Studio Apartment Rent in South Lake Tahoe, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in South Lake Tahoe, California as of October 2026. That's +41% lower than the citywide median of $2,377 and +9% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in South Lake Tahoe
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 South Lake Tahoe
Compare South Lake Tahoe'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 South Lake Tahoe.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs South Lake Tahoe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minden, NV | 20.3 mi | $1,360 | $-50 (-4%) |
| Carson City, NV | 23 mi | $1,027 | $-383 (-27%) |
| Incline Village, NV | 26.2 mi | $1,580 | +$170 (+12%) |
| Gardnerville, NV | 27.9 mi | $950 | $-460 (-33%) |
| Truckee, CA | 33.5 mi | $1,810 | +$400 (+28%) |
| Pollock Pines, CA | 34.5 mi | $1,180 | $-230 (-16%) |
| Dayton, NV | 44.3 mi | $1,080 | $-330 (-23%) |
| Verdi, NV | 44.9 mi | $970 | $-440 (-31%) |
| Reno, NV | 46 mi | $1,237 | $-173 (-12%) |
| Sparks, NV | 54.3 mi | $1,428 | +$18 (+1%) |
| Placerville, CA | 54.7 mi | $1,520 | +$110 (+8%) |
| Shingle Springs, CA | 68.3 mi | $1,740 | +$330 (+23%) |
Studio rent in South Lake Tahoe — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in South Lake Tahoe?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in South Lake Tahoe, California is $1,410 per month. This is +41% below the citywide median of $2,377.
What income do you need to afford a studio in South Lake Tahoe?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $56,400 ($4,700/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is South Lake Tahoe expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
South Lake Tahoe's studio median of $1,410 is +9% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 59th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does South Lake Tahoe rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, South Lake Tahoe ranks #53 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near South Lake Tahoe?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Minden ($1,360), Carson City ($1,027), Gardnerville ($950).