3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chula Vista, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Chula Vista, California as of August 2026. That's +57% higher than the citywide median of $2,996 and +121% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Chula Vista
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 Chula Vista
Compare Chula Vista's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,538 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Barstow | $1,630 |
| 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 | Eureka | $1,910 |
| 15 | Porterville | $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 | 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 Chula Vista.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Chula Vista |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Valley, CA | 6.5 mi | $3,160 | $-1,554 (-33%) |
| National City, CA | 7.2 mi | $2,870 | $-1,844 (-39%) |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 7.4 mi | $3,160 | $-1,554 (-33%) |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 9.4 mi | $3,440 | $-1,274 (-27%) |
| La Mesa, CA | 9.4 mi | $3,590 | $-1,124 (-24%) |
| San Diego, CA | 12.6 mi | $4,244 | $-470 (-10%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 13.4 mi | $3,450 | $-1,264 (-27%) |
| Santee, CA | 15.2 mi | $3,610 | $-1,104 (-23%) |
| Coronado, CA | 15.3 mi | $5,720 | +$1,006 (+21%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 20.4 mi | $3,340 | $-1,374 (-29%) |
| Alpine, CA | 23.3 mi | $3,660 | $-1,054 (-22%) |
| Poway, CA | 24.3 mi | $3,860 | $-854 (-18%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Chula Vista — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Chula Vista?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Chula Vista, California is $4,714 per month. This is +57% higher than the citywide median of $2,996.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Chula Vista?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $188,560 ($15,713/month gross), which works out to roughly $90.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chula Vista expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chula Vista's 3-bedroom median of $4,714 is +121% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chula Vista rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Chula Vista ranks #344 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Chula Vista?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Spring Valley ($3,160), National City ($2,870), Lemon Grove ($3,160).