3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Francisco, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, California as of July 2026. That's +5% lower than the citywide median of $4,401 and +96% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in San Francisco
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 Francisco
Compare San Francisco'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 Francisco.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daly City, CA | 6.9 mi | $3,940 | $-245 (-6%) |
| South San Francisco, CA | 8.2 mi | $3,880 | $-305 (-7%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 8.4 mi | $5,250 | +$1,065 (+25%) |
| Alameda, CA | 9.7 mi | $3,480 | $-705 (-17%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 10 mi | $3,660 | $-525 (-13%) |
| Sausalito, CA | 10.3 mi | $4,450 | +$265 (+6%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 10.4 mi | $3,980 | $-205 (-5%) |
| Albany, CA | 11.7 mi | $3,430 | $-755 (-18%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 12.2 mi | $5,080 | +$895 (+21%) |
| Berkeley, CA | 12.3 mi | $3,399 | $-786 (-19%) |
| Pacifica, CA | 12.3 mi | $4,130 | $-55 (-1%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 12.4 mi | $5,040 | +$855 (+20%) |
3-Bedroom rent in San Francisco — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in San Francisco?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in San Francisco, California is $4,185 per month. This is +5% below the citywide median of $4,401.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in San Francisco?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $167,400 ($13,950/month gross), which works out to roughly $80.48/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Francisco expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Francisco's 3-bedroom median of $4,185 is +96% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Francisco rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, San Francisco ranks #298 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near San Francisco?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Daly City ($3,940), South San Francisco ($3,880), Alameda ($3,480).