Studio Apartment Rent in State College, PA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in State College, Pennsylvania as of July 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $1,888 and +5% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in State College
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 State College
Compare State College's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Castle | $620 |
| 2 | Lewisburg | $660 |
| 3 | Indiana | $720 |
| 4 | Sharon | $720 |
| 5 | Altoona | $730 |
| 6 | DuBois | $730 |
| 7 | Grove City | $730 |
| 8 | Johnstown | $730 |
| 9 | Pottsville | $730 |
| 10 | Vandergrift | $730 |
| 11 | Erie | $748 |
| 12 | Meadville | $750 |
| 13 | Bloomsburg | $760 |
| 14 | Wilkes-Barre | $770 |
| 15 | Beaver | $780 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glen Mills | $2,060 |
| 2 | Wynnewood | $2,020 |
| 3 | Newtown | $2,020 |
| 4 | Blue Bell | $2,010 |
| 5 | Wayne | $1,930 |
| 6 | Exton | $1,920 |
| 7 | Chadds Ford | $1,910 |
| 8 | Malvern | $1,890 |
| 9 | Bryn Mawr | $1,880 |
| 10 | King of Prussia | $1,840 |
| 11 | Conshohocken | $1,820 |
| 12 | Devon | $1,810 |
| 13 | Plymouth Meeting | $1,800 |
| 14 | Bala-Cynwyd | $1,730 |
| 15 | Wyncote | $1,720 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than State College.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs State College |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellefonte, PA | 12.3 mi | $1,040 | $-315 (-23%) |
| Altoona, PA | 39.7 mi | $730 | $-625 (-46%) |
| Shippensburg, PA | 57.5 mi | $890 | $-465 (-34%) |
| Chambersburg, PA | 59.1 mi | $1,020 | $-335 (-25%) |
| Carlisle, PA | 59.9 mi | $850 | $-505 (-37%) |
| DuBois, PA | 63.2 mi | $730 | $-625 (-46%) |
| Mechanicsburg, PA | 71.1 mi | $1,140 | $-215 (-16%) |
| Camp Hill, PA | 75.4 mi | $1,050 | $-305 (-23%) |
| Lemoyne, PA | 76.7 mi | $810 | $-545 (-40%) |
| Harrisburg, PA | 78.8 mi | $948 | $-407 (-30%) |
| Gettysburg, PA | 80 mi | $840 | $-515 (-38%) |
| Johnstown, PA | 80.1 mi | $730 | $-625 (-46%) |
Studio rent in State College — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in State College?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in State College, Pennsylvania is $1,355 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $1,888.
What income do you need to afford a studio in State College?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $54,200 ($4,517/month gross), which works out to roughly $26.06/hour at a full-time job.
Is State College expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
State College's studio median of $1,355 is +5% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 55th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does State College rank for studio rent in Pennsylvania?
Among the 157 cities in Pennsylvania with studio data, State College ranks #111 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near State College?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Bellefonte ($1,040), Altoona ($730), Shippensburg ($890).