3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Riverside, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Riverside, California as of July 2026. That's +43% higher than the citywide median of $2,420 and +63% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Riverside
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 Riverside
Compare Riverside'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 Riverside.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Riverside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jurupa Valley, CA | 8.2 mi | $3,300 | $-169 (-5%) |
| Grand Terrace, CA | 8.7 mi | $3,080 | $-389 (-11%) |
| Colton, CA | 9.5 mi | $3,000 | $-469 (-14%) |
| Moreno Valley, CA | 12.4 mi | $3,575 | +$106 (+3%) |
| Fontana, CA | 12.5 mi | $3,547 | +$78 (+2%) |
| Rialto, CA | 12.5 mi | $2,920 | $-549 (-16%) |
| Loma Linda, CA | 12.8 mi | $3,140 | $-329 (-9%) |
| Perris, CA | 14.4 mi | $3,460 | $-9 (0%) |
| Eastvale, CA | 15 mi | $4,620 | +$1,151 (+33%) |
| Redlands, CA | 17.2 mi | $3,520 | +$51 (+1%) |
| Lake Elsinore, CA | 18.2 mi | $3,765 | +$296 (+9%) |
| Ontario, CA | 18.3 mi | $3,577 | +$108 (+3%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Riverside — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Riverside?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Riverside, California is $3,469 per month. This is +43% higher than the citywide median of $2,420.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Riverside?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $138,760 ($11,563/month gross), which works out to roughly $66.71/hour at a full-time job.
Is Riverside expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Riverside's 3-bedroom median of $3,469 is +63% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 90th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Riverside rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Riverside ranks #179 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Riverside?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Jurupa Valley ($3,300), Grand Terrace ($3,080), Colton ($3,000).