Studio Apartment Rent in South San Francisco, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in South San Francisco, California as of October 2026. That's +49% lower than the citywide median of $4,141 and +65% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in South 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 South San Francisco
Compare South 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? 2 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than South San Francisco.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs South San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Bruno, CA | 2.2 mi | $2,190 | +$60 (+3%) |
| Daly City, CA | 3.6 mi | $2,180 | +$50 (+2%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 4.1 mi | $2,790 | +$660 (+31%) |
| Pacifica, CA | 5.1 mi | $2,270 | +$140 (+7%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 7.4 mi | $2,409 | +$279 (+13%) |
| San Francisco, CA | 8.2 mi | $2,319 | +$189 (+9%) |
| San Mateo, CA | 10.2 mi | $2,537 | +$407 (+19%) |
| Foster City, CA | 12.7 mi | $3,130 | +$1,000 (+47%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 12.9 mi | $2,070 | $-60 (-3%) |
| Belmont, CA | 12.9 mi | $2,530 | +$400 (+19%) |
| Alameda, CA | 12.9 mi | $1,960 | $-170 (-8%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 15.1 mi | $2,430 | +$300 (+14%) |
Studio rent in South San Francisco — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in South San Francisco?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in South San Francisco, California is $2,130 per month. This is +49% below the citywide median of $4,141.
What income do you need to afford a studio in South San Francisco?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $85,200 ($7,100/month gross), which works out to roughly $40.96/hour at a full-time job.
Is South San Francisco expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
South San Francisco's studio median of $2,130 is +65% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 91th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does South San Francisco rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, South San Francisco ranks #241 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near South San Francisco?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Half Moon Bay ($2,070), Alameda ($1,960).