3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in South Lake Tahoe, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in South Lake Tahoe, California as of July 2026. That's +8% lower than the citywide median of $2,729 and +18% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in South Lake Tahoe
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 South Lake Tahoe
Compare South Lake Tahoe'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 South Lake Tahoe.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs South Lake Tahoe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City, NV | 23 mi | $2,110 | $-400 (-16%) |
| Incline Village, NV | 26.2 mi | $3,180 | +$670 (+27%) |
| Gardnerville, NV | 27.9 mi | $1,930 | $-580 (-23%) |
| Truckee, CA | 33.5 mi | $3,370 | +$860 (+34%) |
| Pollock Pines, CA | 34.5 mi | $2,120 | $-390 (-16%) |
| Dayton, NV | 44.3 mi | $2,010 | $-500 (-20%) |
| Verdi, NV | 44.9 mi | $2,010 | $-500 (-20%) |
| Reno, NV | 46 mi | $2,511 | +$1 (0%) |
| Sparks, NV | 54.3 mi | $2,898 | +$388 (+15%) |
| Placerville, CA | 54.7 mi | $2,710 | +$200 (+8%) |
| Shingle Springs, CA | 68.3 mi | $3,110 | +$600 (+24%) |
| El Dorado Hills, CA | 73.9 mi | $4,190 | +$1,680 (+67%) |
3-Bedroom rent in South Lake Tahoe — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in South Lake Tahoe?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in South Lake Tahoe, California is $2,510 per month. This is +8% below the citywide median of $2,729.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in South Lake Tahoe?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $100,400 ($8,367/month gross), which works out to roughly $48.27/hour at a full-time job.
Is South Lake Tahoe expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
South Lake Tahoe's 3-bedroom median of $2,510 is +18% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 66th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does South Lake Tahoe rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, South Lake Tahoe ranks #57 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near South Lake Tahoe?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Carson City ($2,110), Gardnerville ($1,930), Pollock Pines ($2,120).