3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Goleta, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Goleta, California as of October 2026. That's +14% higher than the citywide median of $3,838 and +106% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Goleta
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 Goleta
Compare Goleta'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 Goleta.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Goleta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isla Vista, CA | 16.3 mi | $1,904 | $-2,476 (-57%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 20.2 mi | $3,600 | $-780 (-18%) |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 23.7 mi | $5,050 | +$670 (+15%) |
| Montecito, CA | 32.3 mi | $6,010 | +$1,630 (+37%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 36.3 mi | $3,843 | $-537 (-12%) |
| Carpinteria, CA | 39.4 mi | $4,580 | +$200 (+5%) |
| Nipomo, CA | 48.2 mi | $3,390 | $-990 (-23%) |
| Ventura, CA | 51.2 mi | $3,533 | $-847 (-19%) |
| Ojai, CA | 53.5 mi | $3,080 | $-1,300 (-30%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 55.2 mi | $3,510 | $-870 (-20%) |
| Grover Beach, CA | 57.7 mi | $3,220 | $-1,160 (-26%) |
| Pismo Beach, CA | 61.6 mi | $3,900 | $-480 (-11%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Goleta — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Goleta?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Goleta, California is $4,380 per month. This is +14% higher than the citywide median of $3,838.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Goleta?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $175,200 ($14,600/month gross), which works out to roughly $84.23/hour at a full-time job.
Is Goleta expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Goleta's 3-bedroom median of $4,380 is +106% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Goleta rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Goleta ranks #311 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Goleta?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Isla Vista ($1,904), Lompoc ($3,600), Santa Maria ($3,843).