Median Age
37 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
26%
Over 65
16%
El Cajon
El Cajon, CA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,701
Population
102,392
Renter Mix
61% Rent
San Diego suburb features easy access to big-city amenities
Shopping
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Commuter
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Mountains
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Diverse
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Entertainment
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Community
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Located 17 miles east of downtown San Diego, El Cajon combines suburban comfort with metropolitan convenience. This welcoming city offers various housing options, from apartment communities to single-family homes, with current rental rates averaging $1,725 for one-bedroom units and $2,057 for two bedrooms. Fletcher Hills and Rancho San Diego feature scenic views and convenient access to Parkway Plaza shopping center. The Water Conservation Garden and Butterfly Garden at Cuyamaca College provide peaceful outdoor spaces for residents to explore.
El Cajon's community spirit shines through its local businesses and cultural celebrations. The city is home to Taylor Guitars, a globally recognized manufacturer of premium acoustic and electric guitars. Community events like America on Main Street and the historic Mother Goose Parade, a beloved tradition since 1946, bring residents together each year. The area serves educational needs through Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College. Recent rent trends indicate stability in the market, with increases ranging from 0.9% to 2.6% across different unit sizes, offering more affordable options compared to coastal San Diego areas.
Explore the City
The Downtown Café is a popular destination for residents
Catch live performances at the Magnolia, El Cajon’s performing arts center
A sign welcomes visitors to Downtown El Cajon
Residents quickly commute to San Diego via the El Cajon Transit Center
Demographics
Median Household Income
$62,412
Average: $85,894
Education
22,196
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
47,840
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
El Cajon has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
61%
Non-Renters
39%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
16%
Other Education
84%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in El Cajon, CA is $1,440 for a studio, $1,703 for one bedroom, $2,052 for two bedrooms, and $2,588 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in El Cajon has decreased by -0.5% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,703/month
622 Sq Ft
House
$3,909/month
1,372 Sq Ft
Condo
$2,447/month
806 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,709/month
1,023 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly El Cajon, CA is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
60
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
686 Students
Fletcher Hills Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
540 Students
Public
Grades K-12
2,160 Students
Public
Grades K-5
766 Students
Public
Grades K-5
766 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,481 Students
Public
Grades K-12
2,160 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,481 Students
Public
Grades K-8
661 Students
Pepper Drive Elementary School
Public
Grades K-8
661 Students
Grossmont Middle College High School
Public
Grades 9-12
37 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,728 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,728 Students
Public
Grades K-12
2,160 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,331 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area
- Damon Lane County Park
- Lonny Brewer County Park
- Mt. Helix Park
- Woodhaven County Park
Transit / Subway
Airports
- San Diego International
Top Apartments in El Cajon
Houses for Rent in El Cajon
Property Management Companies in El Cajon, CA
Hoban Property Management
-
14
Communities
-
929
Units
-
6
Cities
8 Communities in El Cajon
Delta Property Management
-
10
Communities
-
809
Units
-
4
Cities
7 Communities in El Cajon
Greystar
-
3,507
Communities
-
965,041
Units
-
893
Cities
5 Communities in El Cajon
Bridge Property Management
-
142
Communities
-
53,995
Units
-
78
Cities
3 Communities in El Cajon
Sunrise Management
-
90
Communities
-
10,090
Units
-
38
Cities
3 Communities in El Cajon
Torrey Pines Property Management
-
25
Communities
-
1,456
Units
-
9
Cities
3 Communities in El Cajon
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.