Atlas Alvarado
6535 Alvarado Rd,
San Diego, CA 92120
$2,485 - $4,584
Studio - 3 Beds
Rental Market Trends in La Mesa, CA
What is the average rent in La Mesa, CA?
$2,038/month
Average Rent
654 Sq Ft
Average Apartment Size
-0.5%
Decrease in the Last Year
As of December 2025, the average rent in La Mesa, CA is $2,038 per month. This is 25% higher than the national average rent price of $1,631/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 $1,591 per month for a studio, $2,038 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $2,447 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $3,021 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 0.5%, which averages out to $10 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 December 2025
Legend
2024
2025
Rent by Neighborhood
Last Updated Today
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in La Mesa?
Based on current rent prices, Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, Mellmanor 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, Severin Manor and College Hill 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 College Hill, Parkway Manor and Mellmanor .
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 $2,038, you’ll want to make about $6,793 per month or $81,516 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
-
-
One Bedroom
$1,876/month
-
Two Bedroom
$2,463/month
-
Three Bedroom
$3,379/month
-
Nearby City Rent Trends
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Property Management Companies in La Mesa, CA
Greystar
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3,449
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950,978
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876
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Torrey Pines Property Management
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31
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1,692
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9
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AMC
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654
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128,617
Units
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254
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5 Communities in La Mesa
Sunrise Management
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79
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9,026
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35
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5 Communities in La Mesa
Hanken Cono Assad & Co., Inc.
-
25
Communities
-
3,090
Units
-
8
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5 Communities in La Mesa
Bridge Property Management
-
130
Communities
-
52,028
Units
-
74
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3 Communities in La Mesa
R.A. Snyder Properties, Inc.
-
55
Communities
-
4,471
Units
-
15
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3 Communities in La Mesa
FairGrove Property Management
-
31
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2,458
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16
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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.