3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Petaluma, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Petaluma, California as of July 2026. That's +42% higher than the citywide median of $2,927 and +95% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Petaluma
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 Petaluma
Compare Petaluma'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 Petaluma.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Petaluma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohnert Park, CA | 8.1 mi | $4,040 | $-120 (-3%) |
| Novato, CA | 11.5 mi | $3,773 | $-387 (-9%) |
| Sonoma, CA | 13.3 mi | $3,670 | $-490 (-12%) |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 16.1 mi | $3,762 | $-398 (-10%) |
| San Anselmo, CA | 17.4 mi | $4,030 | $-130 (-3%) |
| Sebastopol, CA | 18 mi | $3,540 | $-620 (-15%) |
| San Rafael, CA | 18.6 mi | $4,210 | +$50 (+1%) |
| Fairfax, CA | 20.3 mi | $3,740 | $-420 (-10%) |
| Larkspur, CA | 22.3 mi | $4,640 | +$480 (+12%) |
| Windsor, CA | 23.1 mi | $4,250 | +$90 (+2%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 23.4 mi | $5,040 | +$880 (+21%) |
| Mill Valley, CA | 24.2 mi | $4,600 | +$440 (+11%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Petaluma — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Petaluma?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Petaluma, California is $4,160 per month. This is +42% higher than the citywide median of $2,927.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Petaluma?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $166,400 ($13,867/month gross), which works out to roughly $80.00/hour at a full-time job.
Is Petaluma expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Petaluma's 3-bedroom median of $4,160 is +95% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Petaluma rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Petaluma ranks #293 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Petaluma?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Rohnert Park ($4,040), Novato ($3,773), Sonoma ($3,670).