3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Bakersfield, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Bakersfield, California as of July 2026. That's +22% higher than the citywide median of $1,865 and +7% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Bakersfield
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 3-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Bakersfield
Compare Bakersfield's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,492 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Barstow | $1,639 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 5 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 6 | California City | $1,720 |
| 7 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 8 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 9 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 10 | Florence-Graham | $1,835 |
| 11 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 12 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 13 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 14 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 15 | Eureka | $1,910 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $6,055 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $5,870 |
| 3 | Aptos | $5,870 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $5,850 |
| 5 | Coronado | $5,720 |
| 6 | Foster City | $5,690 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $5,380 |
| 8 | Capitola | $5,340 |
| 9 | Solana Beach | $5,330 |
| 10 | Tiburon | $5,250 |
| 11 | Ladera Ranch | $5,250 |
| 12 | Newport Beach | $5,178 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $5,173 |
| 14 | Coto de Caza | $5,130 |
| 15 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Bakersfield.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shafter, CA | 20.7 mi | $1,930 | $-354 (-15%) |
| Taft, CA | 30.9 mi | $1,600 | $-684 (-30%) |
| Tehachapi, CA | 39.8 mi | $2,020 | $-264 (-12%) |
| Porterville, CA | 45.1 mi | $1,910 | $-374 (-16%) |
| Rosamond, CA | 57.8 mi | $2,940 | +$656 (+29%) |
| Ojai, CA | 60.3 mi | $3,080 | +$796 (+35%) |
| Tulare, CA | 61.8 mi | $2,050 | $-234 (-10%) |
| Castaic, CA | 62.6 mi | $3,520 | +$1,236 (+54%) |
| Exeter, CA | 64.9 mi | $2,080 | $-204 (-9%) |
| Santa Paula, CA | 65.9 mi | $2,980 | +$696 (+30%) |
| Carpinteria, CA | 71.6 mi | $4,580 | +$2,296 (+101%) |
| Stevenson Ranch, CA | 71.7 mi | $4,560 | +$2,276 (+100%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Bakersfield — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Bakersfield?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Bakersfield, California is $2,284 per month. This is +22% higher than the citywide median of $1,865.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Bakersfield?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $91,360 ($7,613/month gross), which works out to roughly $43.92/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bakersfield expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Bakersfield's 3-bedroom median of $2,284 is +7% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 57th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bakersfield rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Bakersfield ranks #40 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Bakersfield?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Shafter ($1,930), Taft ($1,600), Tehachapi ($2,020).