3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Monterey, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Monterey, California as of August 2026. That's +25% higher than the citywide median of $2,757 and +61% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Monterey
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 Monterey
Compare Monterey's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,538 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Barstow | $1,630 |
| 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 | Eureka | $1,910 |
| 15 | Porterville | $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 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
| 15 | Santa Barbara | $5,050 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Monterey.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Monterey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seaside, CA | 4.6 mi | $4,240 | +$802 (+23%) |
| Pacific Grove, CA | 6.6 mi | $3,790 | +$352 (+10%) |
| Marina, CA | 8.6 mi | $3,750 | +$312 (+9%) |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA | 8.7 mi | $4,550 | +$1,112 (+32%) |
| Salinas, CA | 16.7 mi | $3,100 | $-338 (-10%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 26.3 mi | $4,500 | +$1,062 (+31%) |
| Capitola, CA | 28.8 mi | $5,340 | +$1,902 (+55%) |
| Aptos, CA | 29.9 mi | $5,870 | +$2,432 (+71%) |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 33.1 mi | $6,055 | +$2,617 (+76%) |
| Scotts Valley, CA | 36.1 mi | $5,870 | +$2,432 (+71%) |
| Gilroy, CA | 36.4 mi | $3,610 | +$172 (+5%) |
| Hollister, CA | 40.7 mi | $3,610 | +$172 (+5%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Monterey — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Monterey?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Monterey, California is $3,438 per month. This is +25% higher than the citywide median of $2,757.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Monterey?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $137,520 ($11,460/month gross), which works out to roughly $66.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is Monterey expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Monterey's 3-bedroom median of $3,438 is +61% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 89th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Monterey rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Monterey ranks #173 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Monterey?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Salinas ($3,100).