3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Irvine, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Irvine, California as of October 2026. That's +39% higher than the citywide median of $3,604 and +135% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Irvine
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 Irvine
Compare Irvine'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 Irvine.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Irvine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tustin, CA | 3.6 mi | $4,160 | $-854 (-17%) |
| Laguna Woods, CA | 6.3 mi | $3,610 | $-1,404 (-28%) |
| Santa Ana, CA | 7.3 mi | $3,405 | $-1,609 (-32%) |
| Lake Forest, CA | 7.3 mi | $4,470 | $-544 (-11%) |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 8.1 mi | $4,830 | $-184 (-4%) |
| Newport Beach, CA | 8.5 mi | $5,178 | +$164 (+3%) |
| Aliso Viejo, CA | 8.5 mi | $4,630 | $-384 (-8%) |
| Orange, CA | 8.8 mi | $3,734 | $-1,280 (-26%) |
| Laguna Hills, CA | 9 mi | $4,360 | $-654 (-13%) |
| Fountain Valley, CA | 11.5 mi | $4,210 | $-804 (-16%) |
| Anaheim, CA | 12.1 mi | $3,814 | $-1,200 (-24%) |
| Laguna Niguel, CA | 12.4 mi | $4,550 | $-464 (-9%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Irvine — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Irvine?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Irvine, California is $5,014 per month. This is +39% higher than the citywide median of $3,604.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Irvine?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $200,560 ($16,713/month gross), which works out to roughly $96.42/hour at a full-time job.
Is Irvine expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Irvine's 3-bedroom median of $5,014 is +135% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Irvine rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Irvine ranks #365 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Irvine?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Tustin ($4,160), Laguna Woods ($3,610), Santa Ana ($3,405).