3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Clemente, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Clemente, California as of July 2026. That's +36% higher than the citywide median of $3,442 and +120% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in San Clemente
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 Clemente
Compare San Clemente'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 San Clemente.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs San Clemente |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan Capistrano, CA | 3.9 mi | $4,130 | $-550 (-12%) |
| Dana Point, CA | 5.1 mi | $4,435 | $-245 (-5%) |
| Rancho Mission Viejo, CA | 5.4 mi | $3,501 | $-1,179 (-25%) |
| Ladera Ranch, CA | 7.1 mi | $5,250 | +$570 (+12%) |
| Laguna Niguel, CA | 8.5 mi | $4,550 | $-130 (-3%) |
| Coto de Caza, CA | 11.1 mi | $5,130 | +$450 (+10%) |
| Laguna Hills, CA | 11.7 mi | $4,360 | $-320 (-7%) |
| Rancho Santa Margarita, CA | 12 mi | $4,400 | $-280 (-6%) |
| Aliso Viejo, CA | 12.2 mi | $4,630 | $-50 (-1%) |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 14.2 mi | $4,830 | +$150 (+3%) |
| Laguna Woods, CA | 14.3 mi | $3,610 | $-1,070 (-23%) |
| Lake Forest, CA | 16.3 mi | $4,470 | $-210 (-4%) |
3-Bedroom rent in San Clemente — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in San Clemente?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in San Clemente, California is $4,680 per month. This is +36% higher than the citywide median of $3,442.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in San Clemente?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $187,200 ($15,600/month gross), which works out to roughly $90.00/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Clemente expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Clemente's 3-bedroom median of $4,680 is +120% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Clemente rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, San Clemente ranks #348 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near San Clemente?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include San Juan Capistrano ($4,130), Dana Point ($4,435), Rancho Mission Viejo ($3,501).