3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Lake Forest, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Lake Forest, California as of July 2026. That's +35% higher than the citywide median of $3,299 and +110% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Lake Forest
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 Lake Forest
Compare Lake Forest'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 Lake Forest.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Lake Forest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna Woods, CA | 5.3 mi | $3,610 | $-860 (-19%) |
| Laguna Hills, CA | 5.6 mi | $4,360 | $-110 (-2%) |
| Rancho Santa Margarita, CA | 5.9 mi | $4,400 | $-70 (-2%) |
| Coto de Caza, CA | 6.9 mi | $5,130 | +$660 (+15%) |
| Irvine, CA | 7.3 mi | $5,014 | +$544 (+12%) |
| Aliso Viejo, CA | 7.4 mi | $4,630 | +$160 (+4%) |
| Ladera Ranch, CA | 9.4 mi | $5,250 | +$780 (+17%) |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 9.4 mi | $4,830 | +$360 (+8%) |
| Tustin, CA | 9.5 mi | $4,160 | $-310 (-7%) |
| Laguna Niguel, CA | 9.9 mi | $4,550 | +$80 (+2%) |
| San Juan Capistrano, CA | 12.7 mi | $4,130 | $-340 (-8%) |
| Rancho Mission Viejo, CA | 12.7 mi | $3,501 | $-969 (-22%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Lake Forest — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Lake Forest?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Lake Forest, California is $4,470 per month. This is +35% higher than the citywide median of $3,299.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Lake Forest?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $178,800 ($14,900/month gross), which works out to roughly $85.96/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lake Forest expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Lake Forest's 3-bedroom median of $4,470 is +110% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lake Forest rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Lake Forest ranks #325 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Lake Forest?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Laguna Woods ($3,610), Laguna Hills ($4,360), Rancho Santa Margarita ($4,400).