3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Carlos, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Carlos, California as of July 2026. That's +8% lower than the citywide median of $4,837 and +108% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in San Carlos
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 San Carlos
Compare San Carlos'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 San Carlos.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs San Carlos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont, CA | 2.2 mi | $4,600 | +$170 (+4%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 3.2 mi | $4,627 | +$197 (+4%) |
| Foster City, CA | 4.1 mi | $5,690 | +$1,260 (+28%) |
| San Mateo, CA | 4.9 mi | $4,613 | +$183 (+4%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 7.1 mi | $4,660 | +$230 (+5%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 7.6 mi | $3,501 | $-929 (-21%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 9.8 mi | $3,710 | $-720 (-16%) |
| Palo Alto, CA | 10.2 mi | $4,975 | +$545 (+12%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 11.2 mi | $3,810 | $-620 (-14%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 11.4 mi | $5,080 | +$650 (+15%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 13 mi | $5,380 | +$950 (+21%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 14.2 mi | $3,980 | $-450 (-10%) |
3-Bedroom rent in San Carlos — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in San Carlos?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in San Carlos, California is $4,430 per month. This is +8% below the citywide median of $4,837.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in San Carlos?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $177,200 ($14,767/month gross), which works out to roughly $85.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Carlos expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Carlos's 3-bedroom median of $4,430 is +108% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Carlos rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, San Carlos ranks #320 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near San Carlos?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Burlingame ($3,501), Half Moon Bay ($3,710), East Palo Alto ($3,810).