3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Foster City, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Foster City, California as of August 2026. That's +32% higher than the citywide median of $4,317 and +167% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Foster City
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 Foster City
Compare Foster City'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 (this page) | $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 Foster City.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Foster City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont, CA | 3.6 mi | $4,600 | $-1,090 (-19%) |
| San Mateo, CA | 3.8 mi | $4,613 | $-1,077 (-19%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 4.1 mi | $4,430 | $-1,260 (-22%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 5 mi | $4,627 | $-1,063 (-19%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 5.7 mi | $3,501 | $-2,189 (-38%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 9.3 mi | $4,660 | $-1,030 (-18%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 9.7 mi | $5,080 | $-610 (-11%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 11.6 mi | $3,710 | $-1,980 (-35%) |
| Palo Alto, CA | 12.4 mi | $4,975 | $-715 (-13%) |
| San Lorenzo, CA | 12.4 mi | $3,390 | $-2,300 (-40%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 12.4 mi | $3,980 | $-1,710 (-30%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 12.5 mi | $3,810 | $-1,880 (-33%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Foster City — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Foster City?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Foster City, California is $5,690 per month. This is +32% higher than the citywide median of $4,317.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Foster City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $227,600 ($18,967/month gross), which works out to roughly $109.42/hour at a full-time job.
Is Foster City expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Foster City's 3-bedroom median of $5,690 is +167% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 100th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Foster City rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Foster City ranks #375 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Foster City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Belmont ($4,600), San Mateo ($4,613), San Carlos ($4,430).