Atlas Alvarado
6535 Alvarado Rd,
San Diego, CA 92120
$1,819 - $4,713
Studio - 3 Beds
Rental Market Trends in La Mesa, CA
What is the average rent in La Mesa, CA?
$2,014/month
Average Rent
654 Sq Ft
Average Apartment Size
-2.5%
Decrease in the Last Year
As of January 2026, the average rent in La Mesa, CA is $2,014 per month. This is 24% higher than the national average rent price of $1,624/month, making La Mesa one of the most expensive cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in La Mesa, you can expect to pay about $1,634 per month for a studio, $2,014 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $2,465 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $3,016 or more.
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in La Mesa, CA?
In the past year, rent has decreased by 2.5%, which averages out to $50 less per month.
Market Trends Over Time
The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated January 2026
Legend
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in La Mesa, CA
Last Updated January 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
0%
Below $700/month
2%
$700 - $1,000/month
29%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
25%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
44%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
Last Updated Today
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in La Mesa?
Based on current rent prices, Mellmanor, Casa de Oro-Mount Helix and College Hill are the most affordable neighborhoods in La Mesa.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in La Mesa?
Based on current rent prices, Parkway Manor, Porter Hill and Severin Manor are the most expensive neighborhoods in La Mesa.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which La Mesa neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhoods in La Mesa with the most apartments available are Mellmanor, College Hill and Parkway Manor .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in La Mesa, CA?
Because the average rent in La Mesa is $2,014, you’ll want to make about $6,713 per month or $80,556 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.
How does La Mesa, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare La Mesa, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.
Studio
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One Bedroom
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Two Bedroom
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Three Bedroom
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Nearby City Rent Trends
Apartment communities in La Mesa we think you'll love
Property Management Companies in La Mesa, CA
Greystar
-
3,443
Communities
-
950,406
Units
-
886
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7 Communities in La Mesa
Torrey Pines Property Management
-
31
Communities
-
1,699
Units
-
10
Cities
6 Communities in La Mesa
AMC
-
646
Communities
-
127,606
Units
-
251
Cities
5 Communities in La Mesa
Sunrise Management
-
79
Communities
-
9,026
Units
-
35
Cities
5 Communities in La Mesa
Hanken Cono Assad & Co., Inc.
-
24
Communities
-
3,042
Units
-
8
Cities
4 Communities in La Mesa
Cardinal Group Management and Advisory, LLC
-
160
Communities
-
31,871
Units
-
82
Cities
3 Communities in La Mesa
Bridge Property Management
-
147
Communities
-
56,115
Units
-
79
Cities
3 Communities in La Mesa
CTM Apartment Services
-
29
Communities
-
2,538
Units
-
18
Cities
2 Communities in La Mesa
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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 November 2025.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.