3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Isla Vista, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Isla Vista, California as of October 2026. That's +80% lower than the citywide median of $9,714 and +11% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Isla Vista
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 Isla Vista
Compare Isla Vista'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 (this page) | $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
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 3-bedroom rents than Isla Vista.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Isla Vista |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara, CA | 8.3 mi | $5,050 | +$3,146 (+165%) |
| Goleta, CA | 16.3 mi | $4,380 | +$2,476 (+130%) |
| Montecito, CA | 16.7 mi | $6,010 | +$4,106 (+216%) |
| Carpinteria, CA | 23.7 mi | $4,580 | +$2,676 (+141%) |
| Ventura, CA | 35 mi | $3,533 | +$1,629 (+86%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 36.4 mi | $3,600 | +$1,696 (+89%) |
| Ojai, CA | 38.6 mi | $3,080 | +$1,176 (+62%) |
| Oxnard, CA | 49.2 mi | $3,240 | +$1,336 (+70%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 50.2 mi | $3,843 | +$1,939 (+102%) |
| Santa Paula, CA | 52.6 mi | $2,980 | +$1,076 (+57%) |
| Port Hueneme, CA | 56.4 mi | $3,290 | +$1,386 (+73%) |
| Camarillo, CA | 58.3 mi | $3,990 | +$2,086 (+110%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Isla Vista — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Isla Vista?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Isla Vista, California is $1,904 per month. This is +80% below the citywide median of $9,714.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Isla Vista?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $76,160 ($6,347/month gross), which works out to roughly $36.62/hour at a full-time job.
Is Isla Vista expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Isla Vista's 3-bedroom median of $1,904 is +11% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 38th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Isla Vista rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Isla Vista ranks #12 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Isla Vista?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 3-bedroom rents than Isla Vista.