Studio Apartment Rent in California, MD
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in California, Maryland as of October 2026. That's +34% lower than the citywide median of $2,507 and +28% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in California
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 California
Compare California's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Maryland
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland | $680 |
| 2 | Hagerstown | $820 |
| 3 | Ocean City | $880 |
| 4 | Salisbury | $1,090 |
| 5 | Lochearn | $1,168 |
| 6 | Easton | $1,170 |
| 7 | Bladensburg | $1,213 |
| 8 | Brooklyn Park | $1,250 |
| 9 | Dundalk | $1,250 |
| 10 | Essex | $1,250 |
| 11 | Halethorpe | $1,250 |
| 12 | Havre de Grace | $1,250 |
| 13 | Westminster | $1,250 |
| 14 | Aberdeen | $1,270 |
| 15 | Rossville | $1,270 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Maryland
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potomac | $3,020 |
| 2 | Bethesda | $2,675 |
| 3 | New Market | $2,530 |
| 4 | Lake Arbor | $2,462 |
| 5 | Derwood | $2,400 |
| 6 | Chevy Chase | $2,370 |
| 7 | Rockville | $2,297 |
| 8 | Clinton | $2,270 |
| 9 | Brandywine | $2,250 |
| 10 | Upper Marlboro | $2,115 |
| 11 | Jessup | $2,110 |
| 12 | Gambrills | $2,100 |
| 13 | Kensington | $2,080 |
| 14 | Hanover | $2,050 |
| 15 | Bowie | $2,022 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than California.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waldorf, MD | 34.1 mi | $1,993 | +$343 (+21%) |
| Upper Marlboro, MD | 40.5 mi | $2,115 | +$465 (+28%) |
| Clinton, MD | 40.9 mi | $2,270 | +$620 (+38%) |
| District Heights, MD | 45.9 mi | $1,640 | $-10 (-1%) |
| Easton, MD | 46.3 mi | $1,170 | $-480 (-29%) |
| Stevensville, MD | 46.6 mi | $1,760 | +$110 (+7%) |
| Lake Arbor, MD | 47.2 mi | $2,462 | +$812 (+49%) |
| Oxon Hill, MD | 47.5 mi | $1,580 | $-70 (-4%) |
| Bowie, MD | 48.3 mi | $2,022 | +$372 (+23%) |
| Mount Vernon, VA | 49.6 mi | $1,780 | +$130 (+8%) |
| Crofton, MD | 50.7 mi | $1,880 | +$230 (+14%) |
| Fort Belvoir, VA | 51.3 mi | $1,694 | +$44 (+3%) |
Studio rent in California — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in California?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in California, Maryland is $1,650 per month. This is +34% below the citywide median of $2,507.
What income do you need to afford a studio in California?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $66,000 ($5,500/month gross), which works out to roughly $31.73/hour at a full-time job.
Is California expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
California's studio median of $1,650 is +28% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 73th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does California rank for studio rent in Maryland?
Among the 90 cities in Maryland with studio data, California ranks #54 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near California?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include District Heights ($1,640), Easton ($1,170), Oxon Hill ($1,580).