3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in El Cerrito, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in El Cerrito, California as of July 2026. That's +22% higher than the citywide median of $2,777 and +59% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in El Cerrito
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 El Cerrito
Compare El Cerrito'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? 4 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than El Cerrito.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs El Cerrito |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, CA | 2.2 mi | $3,430 | +$50 (+1%) |
| Richmond, CA | 3.4 mi | $3,050 | $-330 (-10%) |
| Berkeley, CA | 3.7 mi | $3,399 | +$19 (+1%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 4.3 mi | $2,293 | $-1,087 (-32%) |
| Pinole, CA | 5.1 mi | $3,490 | +$110 (+3%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 5.9 mi | $3,660 | +$280 (+8%) |
| Hercules, CA | 6.6 mi | $4,420 | +$1,040 (+31%) |
| Orinda, CA | 8.4 mi | $3,830 | +$450 (+13%) |
| Oakland, CA | 10.3 mi | $3,226 | $-154 (-5%) |
| Alameda, CA | 10.3 mi | $3,480 | +$100 (+3%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 12 mi | $5,250 | +$1,870 (+55%) |
| Martinez, CA | 12.2 mi | $3,110 | $-270 (-8%) |
3-Bedroom rent in El Cerrito — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in El Cerrito?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in El Cerrito, California is $3,380 per month. This is +22% higher than the citywide median of $2,777.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in El Cerrito?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $135,200 ($11,267/month gross), which works out to roughly $65.00/hour at a full-time job.
Is El Cerrito expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
El Cerrito's 3-bedroom median of $3,380 is +59% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 88th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does El Cerrito rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, El Cerrito ranks #160 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near El Cerrito?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Richmond ($3,050), San Pablo ($2,293), Oakland ($3,226).