3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Downey, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Downey, California as of October 2026. That's +45% higher than the citywide median of $2,257 and +53% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Downey
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 Downey
Compare Downey'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 Downey.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Downey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellflower, CA | 3.6 mi | $3,020 | $-247 (-8%) |
| Paramount, CA | 3.8 mi | $2,940 | $-327 (-10%) |
| Norwalk, CA | 3.9 mi | $3,110 | $-157 (-5%) |
| Pico Rivera, CA | 4.4 mi | $3,180 | $-87 (-3%) |
| South Gate, CA | 4.4 mi | $2,940 | $-327 (-10%) |
| Lynwood, CA | 5 mi | $2,940 | $-327 (-10%) |
| Maywood, CA | 5.2 mi | $2,940 | $-327 (-10%) |
| Montebello, CA | 5.4 mi | $2,970 | $-297 (-9%) |
| Compton, CA | 6.5 mi | $2,940 | $-327 (-10%) |
| Lakewood, CA | 6.5 mi | $4,150 | +$883 (+27%) |
| Huntington Park, CA | 6.7 mi | $2,940 | $-327 (-10%) |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 7.2 mi | $2,940 | $-327 (-10%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Downey — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Downey?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Downey, California is $3,267 per month. This is +45% higher than the citywide median of $2,257.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Downey?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $130,680 ($10,890/month gross), which works out to roughly $62.83/hour at a full-time job.
Is Downey expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Downey's 3-bedroom median of $3,267 is +53% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 87th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Downey rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Downey ranks #142 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Downey?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Bellflower ($3,020), Paramount ($2,940), Norwalk ($3,110).