3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Rancho Santa Margarita, California as of July 2026. That's +51% higher than the citywide median of $2,910 and +107% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Rancho Santa Margarita
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 Rancho Santa Margarita
Compare Rancho Santa Margarita'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 Rancho Santa Margarita.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Rancho Santa Margarita |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coto de Caza, CA | 1 mi | $5,130 | +$730 (+17%) |
| Ladera Ranch, CA | 5.1 mi | $5,250 | +$850 (+19%) |
| Lake Forest, CA | 5.9 mi | $4,470 | +$70 (+2%) |
| Laguna Hills, CA | 6.2 mi | $4,360 | $-40 (-1%) |
| Rancho Mission Viejo, CA | 7.4 mi | $3,501 | $-899 (-20%) |
| San Juan Capistrano, CA | 8.1 mi | $4,130 | $-270 (-6%) |
| Laguna Woods, CA | 8.2 mi | $3,610 | $-790 (-18%) |
| Aliso Viejo, CA | 8.7 mi | $4,630 | +$230 (+5%) |
| Laguna Niguel, CA | 8.8 mi | $4,550 | +$150 (+3%) |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 11.6 mi | $4,830 | +$430 (+10%) |
| Dana Point, CA | 11.8 mi | $4,435 | +$35 (+1%) |
| San Clemente, CA | 12 mi | $4,680 | +$280 (+6%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Rancho Santa Margarita — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Rancho Santa Margarita?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, California is $4,400 per month. This is +51% higher than the citywide median of $2,910.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Rancho Santa Margarita?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $176,000 ($14,667/month gross), which works out to roughly $84.62/hour at a full-time job.
Is Rancho Santa Margarita expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Rancho Santa Margarita's 3-bedroom median of $4,400 is +107% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Rancho Santa Margarita rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Rancho Santa Margarita ranks #317 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Rancho Santa Margarita?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Laguna Hills ($4,360), Rancho Mission Viejo ($3,501), San Juan Capistrano ($4,130).