3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in La Mesa, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in La Mesa, California as of July 2026. That's +35% higher than the citywide median of $2,662 and +69% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in La Mesa
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 La Mesa
Compare La Mesa'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? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than La Mesa.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs La Mesa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemon Grove, CA | 3 mi | $3,160 | $-430 (-12%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 3.1 mi | $3,160 | $-430 (-12%) |
| Santee, CA | 6 mi | $3,610 | +$20 (+1%) |
| Bonita, CA | 7.1 mi | $4,050 | +$460 (+13%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 7.5 mi | $3,450 | $-140 (-4%) |
| National City, CA | 9 mi | $2,870 | $-720 (-20%) |
| Chula Vista, CA | 9.4 mi | $4,714 | +$1,124 (+31%) |
| San Diego, CA | 11.1 mi | $4,244 | +$654 (+18%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 12.6 mi | $3,340 | $-250 (-7%) |
| Coronado, CA | 14.6 mi | $5,720 | +$2,130 (+59%) |
| Poway, CA | 14.8 mi | $3,860 | +$270 (+8%) |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 15.5 mi | $3,440 | $-150 (-4%) |
3-Bedroom rent in La Mesa — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in La Mesa?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in La Mesa, California is $3,590 per month. This is +35% higher than the citywide median of $2,662.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in La Mesa?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $143,600 ($11,967/month gross), which works out to roughly $69.04/hour at a full-time job.
Is La Mesa expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
La Mesa's 3-bedroom median of $3,590 is +69% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 91th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does La Mesa rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, La Mesa ranks #204 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near La Mesa?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Lemon Grove ($3,160), Spring Valley ($3,160), El Cajon ($3,450).