3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Diego, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Diego, California as of July 2026. That's +40% higher than the citywide median of $3,038 and +99% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in San Diego
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 Diego
Compare San Diego'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 Diego.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs San Diego |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coronado, CA | 3.5 mi | $5,720 | +$1,476 (+35%) |
| National City, CA | 5.5 mi | $2,870 | $-1,374 (-32%) |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 8.8 mi | $3,160 | $-1,084 (-26%) |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 10.2 mi | $3,440 | $-804 (-19%) |
| Bonita, CA | 10.4 mi | $4,050 | $-194 (-5%) |
| La Mesa, CA | 11.1 mi | $3,590 | $-654 (-15%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 11.5 mi | $3,160 | $-1,084 (-26%) |
| Chula Vista, CA | 12.6 mi | $4,714 | +$470 (+11%) |
| Santee, CA | 15.2 mi | $3,610 | $-634 (-15%) |
| Del Mar, CA | 18.3 mi | $3,501 | $-743 (-18%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 18.6 mi | $3,450 | $-794 (-19%) |
| Solana Beach, CA | 20.6 mi | $5,330 | +$1,086 (+26%) |
3-Bedroom rent in San Diego — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in San Diego?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in San Diego, California is $4,244 per month. This is +40% higher than the citywide median of $3,038.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in San Diego?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $169,760 ($14,147/month gross), which works out to roughly $81.62/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Diego expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Diego's 3-bedroom median of $4,244 is +99% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Diego rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, San Diego ranks #305 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near San Diego?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include National City ($2,870), Lemon Grove ($3,160), Imperial Beach ($3,440).