3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Shafter, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Shafter, California as of October 2026. That's +18% lower than the citywide median of $2,344 and +9% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Shafter
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 Shafter
Compare Shafter'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? 2 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Shafter.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Shafter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taft, CA | 24.7 mi | $1,600 | $-330 (-17%) |
| Porterville, CA | 45.1 mi | $1,910 | $-20 (-1%) |
| Tulare, CA | 47.6 mi | $2,050 | +$120 (+6%) |
| Visalia, CA | 59.6 mi | $2,147 | +$217 (+11%) |
| Hanford, CA | 59.8 mi | $1,960 | +$30 (+2%) |
| Tehachapi, CA | 60.5 mi | $2,020 | +$90 (+5%) |
| Ojai, CA | 66.4 mi | $3,080 | +$1,150 (+60%) |
| Lemoore, CA | 66.7 mi | $2,440 | +$510 (+26%) |
| Carpinteria, CA | 74.2 mi | $4,580 | +$2,650 (+137%) |
| Montecito, CA | 75.6 mi | $6,010 | +$4,080 (+211%) |
| Santa Paula, CA | 76.4 mi | $2,980 | +$1,050 (+54%) |
| Rosamond, CA | 78.3 mi | $2,940 | +$1,010 (+52%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Shafter — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Shafter?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Shafter, California is $1,930 per month. This is +18% below the citywide median of $2,344.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Shafter?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $77,200 ($6,433/month gross), which works out to roughly $37.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is Shafter expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Shafter's 3-bedroom median of $1,930 is +9% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 40th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Shafter rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Shafter ranks #16 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Shafter?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Taft ($1,600), Porterville ($1,910).