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Rental Market Trends in La Mesa, CA

What is the average rent in La Mesa, CA?

$2,031/month

Average Rent

650 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

-1.9%

Decrease in the Last Year

As of March 2026, the average rent in La Mesa, CA is $2,031 per month. This is 25% higher than the national average rent price of $1,626/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 $1,681 per month for a studio, $2,031 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $2,503 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $3,020 or more.

Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$1,681/month
460 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,031/month
650 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,503/month
916 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,020/month
1,128 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,727/month
469 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,734/month
854 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$4,270/month
1,407 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$6,499/month
1,781 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,069/month
527 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,502/month
877 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$2,908/month
1,062 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,999/month
988 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,905/month
1,336 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$5,363/month
1,597 Sq Ft

How much has average rent changed in La Mesa, CA?

In the past year, rent has decreased by 1.9%, which averages out to $37 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 March 2026
Legend
2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time
Rent Ranges in La Mesa, CA
Last Updated March 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in La Mesa, CA
Percentage*
Rent Range
0% Below $700/month
2% $700 - $1,000/month
28% $1,001 - $1,500/month
26% $1,501 - $2,000/month
44% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

Last Updated Today
  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in La Mesa?

Based on current rent prices, Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, La Mesa Springs and College Hill are the most affordable neighborhoods in La Mesa.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Casa de Oro-Mount Helix
$2,130/month
692 Sq Ft
La Mesa Springs
$2,216/month
624 Sq Ft
College Hill
$2,332/month
689 Sq Ft
Mellmanor
$2,351/month
674 Sq Ft
Severin Manor
$2,408/month
642 Sq Ft
Parkway Manor
$2,471/month
689 Sq Ft
Porter Hill
$2,532/month
689 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in La Mesa?

Based on current rent prices, Porter Hill, Parkway Manor and Severin Manor are the most expensive neighborhoods in La Mesa.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Porter Hill
$2,532/month
689 Sq Ft
Parkway Manor
$2,471/month
689 Sq Ft
Severin Manor
$2,408/month
642 Sq Ft
Mellmanor
$2,351/month
674 Sq Ft
College Hill
$2,332/month
689 Sq Ft
La Mesa Springs
$2,216/month
624 Sq Ft
Casa de Oro-Mount Helix
$2,130/month
692 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 Casa de Oro-Mount Helix .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Mellmanor
$2,351/month
674 Sq Ft
College Hill
$2,332/month
689 Sq Ft
Casa de Oro-Mount Helix
$2,130/month
692 Sq Ft
Parkway Manor
$2,471/month
689 Sq Ft
Severin Manor
$2,408/month
642 Sq Ft
La Mesa Springs
$2,216/month
624 Sq Ft
Porter Hill
$2,532/month
689 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in La Mesa, CA?

Because the average rent in La Mesa is $2,031, you’ll want to make about $6,770 per month or $81,240 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.

City

La Mesa, CA

1,080 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

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.

Explore the Area Guide for La Mesa, CA

Apartment Averages

Casa de Oro-Mount Helix

La Mesa, CA

Porter Hill

La Mesa, CA

Studio
-
-
One Bedroom
$1,930/month
-
Two Bedroom
$2,507/month
-
Three Bedroom
$3,341/month
-
Search
Search

Nearby City Rent Trends

  • Lemon Grove Average Rent
  • Spring Valley Average Rent
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  • Santee Average Rent

Apartment communities in La Mesa we think you'll love

64 Forty

64 Forty

6440 El Cajon Blvd,
San Diego, CA 92115

$1,804 - $3,244 Total Monthly Price

Studio - 3 Beds

Atlas Alvarado

Atlas Alvarado

6535 Alvarado Rd,
San Diego, CA 92120

$1,819 - $4,599

Studio - 3 Beds

Array La Mesa

Array La Mesa

4949 Baltimore Dr,
La Mesa, CA 91942

$2,561 - $9,017 Total Monthly Price

Studio - 3 Beds

The District Apartments

The District Apartments

8727 Fletcher Pky,
La Mesa, CA 91942

$2,307 - $4,515 Total Monthly Price

1-2 Beds

Property Management Companies in La Mesa, CA

Greystar
Greystar
  • 3,475

    Communities

  • 956,724

    Units

  • 896

    Cities

7 Communities in La Mesa
Torrey Pines Property Management
Torrey Pines Property Management
  • 29

    Communities

  • 1,650

    Units

  • 11

    Cities

6 Communities in La Mesa
Sunrise Management
Sunrise Management
  • 91

    Communities

  • 10,116

    Units

  • 38

    Cities

5 Communities in La Mesa
Hanken Cono Assad & Co., Inc.
Hanken Cono Assad & Co., Inc.
  • 24

    Communities

  • 3,042

    Units

  • 8

    Cities

4 Communities in La Mesa
AMC
AMC
  • 624

    Communities

  • 125,068

    Units

  • 245

    Cities

3 Communities in La Mesa
Cardinal Group Management and Advisory, LLC
Cardinal Group Management and Advisory, LLC
  • 157

    Communities

  • 31,908

    Units

  • 83

    Cities

3 Communities in La Mesa
Bridge Property Management
Bridge Property Management
  • 144

    Communities

  • 55,107

    Units

  • 78

    Cities

3 Communities in La Mesa
CTM Apartment Services
CTM Apartment Services
  • 29

    Communities

  • 2,670

    Units

  • 18

    Cities

3 Communities in La Mesa

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United States California La Mesa Rental Trends

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.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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Equal Housing Opportunity