3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Walnut Creek, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Walnut Creek, California as of July 2026. That's +38% higher than the citywide median of $3,003 and +95% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Walnut Creek
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 Walnut Creek
Compare Walnut Creek'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 Walnut Creek.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Walnut Creek |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Hill, CA | 4.5 mi | $3,740 | $-413 (-10%) |
| Concord, CA | 5.2 mi | $3,365 | $-788 (-19%) |
| Lafayette, CA | 5.4 mi | $4,490 | +$337 (+8%) |
| Moraga, CA | 6.9 mi | $4,030 | $-123 (-3%) |
| Danville, CA | 8.5 mi | $4,465 | +$312 (+8%) |
| Martinez, CA | 9.4 mi | $3,110 | $-1,043 (-25%) |
| Orinda, CA | 10.4 mi | $3,830 | $-323 (-8%) |
| San Ramon, CA | 11.8 mi | $4,260 | +$107 (+3%) |
| Pittsburg, CA | 11.8 mi | $3,010 | $-1,143 (-28%) |
| Castro Valley, CA | 13.3 mi | $3,280 | $-873 (-21%) |
| Oakland, CA | 14.9 mi | $3,226 | $-927 (-22%) |
| Benicia, CA | 15.2 mi | $3,750 | $-403 (-10%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Walnut Creek — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Walnut Creek?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Walnut Creek, California is $4,153 per month. This is +38% higher than the citywide median of $3,003.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Walnut Creek?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $166,120 ($13,843/month gross), which works out to roughly $79.87/hour at a full-time job.
Is Walnut Creek expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Walnut Creek's 3-bedroom median of $4,153 is +95% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Walnut Creek rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Walnut Creek ranks #292 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Walnut Creek?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Pleasant Hill ($3,740), Concord ($3,365), Moraga ($4,030).