Studio Apartment Rent in Sunnyvale, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Sunnyvale, California as of July 2026. That's +21% lower than the citywide median of $3,821 and +133% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Sunnyvale
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 Sunnyvale
Compare Sunnyvale'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 (this page) | $3,010 |
| 13 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 14 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 15 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Sunnyvale.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain View, CA | 3.8 mi | $2,890 | $-120 (-4%) |
| Santa Clara, CA | 4 mi | $2,770 | $-240 (-8%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 6.5 mi | $3,410 | +$400 (+13%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 8.3 mi | $2,150 | $-860 (-29%) |
| Newark, CA | 8.5 mi | $1,990 | $-1,020 (-34%) |
| Saratoga, CA | 8.5 mi | $2,910 | $-100 (-3%) |
| Campbell, CA | 8.5 mi | $2,540 | $-470 (-16%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 8.5 mi | $3,130 | +$120 (+4%) |
| Palo Alto, CA | 8.7 mi | $2,900 | $-110 (-4%) |
| Fremont, CA | 10.9 mi | $2,425 | $-585 (-19%) |
| Milpitas, CA | 11.5 mi | $2,650 | $-360 (-12%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 11.8 mi | $2,560 | $-450 (-15%) |
Studio rent in Sunnyvale — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Sunnyvale?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Sunnyvale, California is $3,010 per month. This is +21% below the citywide median of $3,821.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Sunnyvale?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $120,400 ($10,033/month gross), which works out to roughly $57.88/hour at a full-time job.
Is Sunnyvale expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Sunnyvale's studio median of $3,010 is +133% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Sunnyvale rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Sunnyvale ranks #372 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Sunnyvale?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Mountain View ($2,890), Santa Clara ($2,770), East Palo Alto ($2,150).