3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in National City, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in National City, California as of October 2026. That's +18% higher than the citywide median of $2,426 and +35% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in National City
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 National City
Compare National City's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,579 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 4 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 5 | California City | $1,720 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 9 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 10 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 11 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 12 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 13 | Eureka | $1,910 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,910 |
| 15 | Fortuna | $1,920 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $6,010 |
| 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
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 3-bedroom rents than National City.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs National City |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | 5.5 mi | $4,244 | +$1,374 (+48%) |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 6 mi | $3,160 | +$290 (+10%) |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 6.9 mi | $3,440 | +$570 (+20%) |
| Chula Vista, CA | 7.2 mi | $4,714 | +$1,844 (+64%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 7.9 mi | $3,160 | +$290 (+10%) |
| Coronado, CA | 8.2 mi | $5,720 | +$2,850 (+99%) |
| La Mesa, CA | 9 mi | $3,590 | +$720 (+25%) |
| Santee, CA | 14.5 mi | $3,610 | +$740 (+26%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 15.9 mi | $3,450 | +$580 (+20%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 21.6 mi | $3,340 | +$470 (+16%) |
| Poway, CA | 22.2 mi | $3,860 | +$990 (+34%) |
| Del Mar, CA | 23.1 mi | $3,501 | +$631 (+22%) |
3-Bedroom rent in National City — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in National City?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in National City, California is $2,870 per month. This is +18% higher than the citywide median of $2,426.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in National City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $114,800 ($9,567/month gross), which works out to roughly $55.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is National City expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
National City's 3-bedroom median of $2,870 is +35% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 77th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does National City rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, National City ranks #74 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near National City?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 3-bedroom rents than National City.