Studio Apartment Rent in Walnut Creek, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Walnut Creek, California as of October 2026. That's +20% lower than the citywide median of $2,924 and +82% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Walnut Creek
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 Walnut Creek
Compare Walnut Creek'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 Walnut Creek.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Walnut Creek |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Hill, CA | 4.5 mi | $2,110 | $-233 (-10%) |
| Concord, CA | 5.2 mi | $1,893 | $-450 (-19%) |
| Lafayette, CA | 5.4 mi | $2,530 | +$187 (+8%) |
| Moraga, CA | 6.9 mi | $2,270 | $-73 (-3%) |
| Danville, CA | 8.5 mi | $2,520 | +$177 (+8%) |
| Martinez, CA | 9.4 mi | $1,750 | $-593 (-25%) |
| Orinda, CA | 10.4 mi | $2,120 | $-223 (-10%) |
| San Ramon, CA | 11.8 mi | $2,405 | +$62 (+3%) |
| Pittsburg, CA | 11.8 mi | $1,660 | $-683 (-29%) |
| Castro Valley, CA | 13.3 mi | $1,850 | $-493 (-21%) |
| Oakland, CA | 14.9 mi | $1,792 | $-551 (-24%) |
| Benicia, CA | 15.2 mi | $2,000 | $-343 (-15%) |
Studio rent in Walnut Creek — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Walnut Creek?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Walnut Creek, California is $2,343 per month. This is +20% below the citywide median of $2,924.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Walnut Creek?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $93,720 ($7,810/month gross), which works out to roughly $45.06/hour at a full-time job.
Is Walnut Creek expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Walnut Creek's studio median of $2,343 is +82% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Walnut Creek rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Walnut Creek ranks #282 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Walnut Creek?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Pleasant Hill ($2,110), Concord ($1,893), Moraga ($2,270).