3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California as of October 2026. That's +21% lower than the citywide median of $5,742 and +114% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Carmel-by-the-Sea
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 Carmel-by-the-Sea
Compare Carmel-by-the-Sea's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,579 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 4 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 5 | California City | $1,720 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 9 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 10 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 11 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 12 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 13 | Eureka | $1,910 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,910 |
| 15 | Fortuna | $1,920 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $6,010 |
| 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 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
| 15 | Santa Barbara | $5,050 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Carmel-by-the-Sea.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Carmel-by-the-Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey, CA | 8.7 mi | $3,362 | $-1,188 (-26%) |
| Seaside, CA | 12.2 mi | $4,240 | $-310 (-7%) |
| Pacific Grove, CA | 13 mi | $3,963 | $-587 (-13%) |
| Marina, CA | 17 mi | $3,750 | $-800 (-18%) |
| Salinas, CA | 22.7 mi | $3,173 | $-1,377 (-30%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 34.9 mi | $4,500 | $-50 (-1%) |
| Capitola, CA | 37.1 mi | $5,340 | +$790 (+17%) |
| Aptos, CA | 38.6 mi | $5,870 | +$1,320 (+29%) |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 40.8 mi | $4,176 | $-374 (-8%) |
| Soquel, CA | 41.3 mi | $3,483 | $-1,067 (-23%) |
| Scotts Valley, CA | 44.2 mi | $5,870 | +$1,320 (+29%) |
| Gilroy, CA | 44.3 mi | $3,610 | $-940 (-21%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California is $4,550 per month. This is +21% below the citywide median of $5,742.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $182,000 ($15,167/month gross), which works out to roughly $87.50/hour at a full-time job.
Is Carmel-by-the-Sea expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Carmel-by-the-Sea's 3-bedroom median of $4,550 is +114% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Carmel-by-the-Sea rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Carmel-by-the-Sea ranks #325 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Monterey ($3,362), Seaside ($4,240), Pacific Grove ($3,963).