3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Lafayette, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Lafayette, California as of July 2026. That's +13% higher than the citywide median of $3,974 and +111% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Lafayette
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 Lafayette
Compare Lafayette'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 Lafayette.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Lafayette |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moraga, CA | 3.9 mi | $4,030 | $-460 (-10%) |
| Pleasant Hill, CA | 4.7 mi | $3,740 | $-750 (-17%) |
| Orinda, CA | 5 mi | $3,830 | $-660 (-15%) |
| Walnut Creek, CA | 5.4 mi | $4,153 | $-337 (-8%) |
| Martinez, CA | 6.9 mi | $3,110 | $-1,380 (-31%) |
| Concord, CA | 9 mi | $3,365 | $-1,125 (-25%) |
| Oakland, CA | 10.4 mi | $3,226 | $-1,264 (-28%) |
| Berkeley, CA | 10.9 mi | $3,399 | $-1,091 (-24%) |
| Albany, CA | 12.5 mi | $3,430 | $-1,060 (-24%) |
| Danville, CA | 12.6 mi | $4,465 | $-25 (-1%) |
| Hercules, CA | 12.8 mi | $4,420 | $-70 (-2%) |
| Castro Valley, CA | 12.8 mi | $3,280 | $-1,210 (-27%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Lafayette — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Lafayette?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Lafayette, California is $4,490 per month. This is +13% higher than the citywide median of $3,974.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Lafayette?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $179,600 ($14,967/month gross), which works out to roughly $86.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lafayette expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Lafayette's 3-bedroom median of $4,490 is +111% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lafayette rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Lafayette ranks #326 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Lafayette?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Moraga ($4,030), Pleasant Hill ($3,740), Orinda ($3,830).