3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Santa Monica, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Santa Monica, California as of October 2026. That's +20% higher than the citywide median of $3,516 and +99% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Santa Monica
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 Santa Monica
Compare Santa Monica's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,579 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 4 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 5 | California City | $1,720 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 9 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 10 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 11 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 12 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 13 | Eureka | $1,910 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,910 |
| 15 | Fortuna | $1,920 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $6,010 |
| 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 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
| 15 | Santa Barbara | $5,050 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Santa Monica.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Santa Monica |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina del Rey, CA | 3.9 mi | $5,010 | +$780 (+18%) |
| Culver City, CA | 6.6 mi | $4,310 | +$80 (+2%) |
| Beverly Hills, CA | 7 mi | $4,787 | +$557 (+13%) |
| West Hollywood, CA | 8.7 mi | $4,650 | +$420 (+10%) |
| El Segundo, CA | 9.3 mi | $4,430 | +$200 (+5%) |
| View Park-Windsor Hills, CA | 9.6 mi | $3,501 | $-729 (-17%) |
| Topanga, CA | 10.7 mi | $5,010 | +$780 (+18%) |
| Inglewood, CA | 10.8 mi | $3,082 | $-1,148 (-27%) |
| Manhattan Beach, CA | 10.9 mi | $5,010 | +$780 (+18%) |
| Hawthorne, CA | 12.1 mi | $2,970 | $-1,260 (-30%) |
| Hermosa Beach, CA | 12.5 mi | $4,850 | +$620 (+15%) |
| Lawndale, CA | 13.2 mi | $3,180 | $-1,050 (-25%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Santa Monica — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Santa Monica?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Santa Monica, California is $4,230 per month. This is +20% higher than the citywide median of $3,516.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Santa Monica?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $169,200 ($14,100/month gross), which works out to roughly $81.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Monica expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Santa Monica's 3-bedroom median of $4,230 is +99% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Santa Monica rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Santa Monica ranks #298 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Santa Monica?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include View Park-Windsor Hills ($3,501), Inglewood ($3,082), Hawthorne ($2,970).