3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Modesto, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Modesto, California as of July 2026. That's +12% higher than the citywide median of $1,986 and +4% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Modesto
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 Modesto
Compare Modesto'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? 4 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Modesto.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Modesto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverbank, CA | 6.8 mi | $2,280 | +$63 (+3%) |
| Ceres, CA | 8.1 mi | $2,200 | $-17 (-1%) |
| Turlock, CA | 14.6 mi | $2,205 | $-12 (-1%) |
| Manteca, CA | 17.1 mi | $2,780 | +$563 (+25%) |
| Oakdale, CA | 19.5 mi | $2,200 | $-17 (-1%) |
| Patterson, CA | 20.7 mi | $2,580 | +$363 (+16%) |
| Lathrop, CA | 23.4 mi | $3,240 | +$1,023 (+46%) |
| Stockton, CA | 33.3 mi | $2,499 | +$282 (+13%) |
| Tracy, CA | 33.5 mi | $3,455 | +$1,238 (+56%) |
| Atwater, CA | 33.7 mi | $2,080 | $-137 (-6%) |
| Lodi, CA | 36.9 mi | $2,555 | +$338 (+15%) |
| Los Banos, CA | 42.2 mi | $2,430 | +$213 (+10%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Modesto — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Modesto?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Modesto, California is $2,217 per month. This is +12% higher than the citywide median of $1,986.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Modesto?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $88,680 ($7,390/month gross), which works out to roughly $42.63/hour at a full-time job.
Is Modesto expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Modesto's 3-bedroom median of $2,217 is +4% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 54th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Modesto rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Modesto ranks #37 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Modesto?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Ceres ($2,200), Turlock ($2,205), Oakdale ($2,200).