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Rental Market Trends in La Mesa, CA

What is the average rent in La Mesa, CA?

$2,083/month

Average Rent

654 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

+1.8%

Increase in the Last Year

La Mesa, CA Rental Market Overview

The average rent in La Mesa, CA is $2,083 per month. This is 27% higher than the national average rent price of $1,644/month, making La Mesa one of the most expensive cities in the US.

  • Studio apartments in La Mesa average $1,628 per month.
  • One-bedroom apartments in La Mesa average $2,083 per month.
  • Two-bedroom apartments in La Mesa average $2,524 per month.
  • Three-bedroom apartments in La Mesa average $3,045 or more per month.

Data Updated: June, 2026

Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$1,628/month
460 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,083/month
654 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,524/month
915 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,045/month
1,128 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,726/month
533 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,741/month
762 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$4,261/month
1,277 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$5,821/month
1,837 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,010/month
475 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,670/month
933 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$4,912/month
1,403 Sq Ft

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

In the past year, rent has increased by 1.8%, which averages out to $38 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time   The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated June 2026
Legend
2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time
Rent Ranges in La Mesa, CA
Last Updated June 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
27% $1,001 - $1,500/month
27% $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 is the most affordable neighborhood in La Mesa.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Casa de Oro-Mount Helix
$2,038/month
777 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in La Mesa?

Based on current rent prices, Casa de Oro-Mount Helix is the most expensive neighborhood in La Mesa.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Casa de Oro-Mount Helix
$2,038/month
777 Sq Ft

Which La Mesa neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhood in La Mesa with the most apartments available is Casa de Oro-Mount Helix .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Casa de Oro-Mount Helix
$2,038/month
777 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 $2,083, you’ll want to make about $6,943 per month or $83,316 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

943 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

Casa de Oro-Mount Helix

La Mesa, CA

Studio
-
-
One Bedroom
$1,845/month
$1,845/month
Two Bedroom
$2,478/month
$2,478/month
Three Bedroom
$3,292/month
$3,292/month
Search
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Nearby City Rent Trends

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Apartment communities in La Mesa we think you'll love

Veranda La Mesa

Veranda La Mesa

5353 Baltimore Dr,
La Mesa, CA 91942

$2,004 - $5,740

Studio - 2 Beds

Atlas Alvarado

Atlas Alvarado

6535 Alvarado Rd,
San Diego, CA 92120

$1,819 - $4,599

Studio - 3 Beds

Trolley Palm

Trolley Palm

4302 Palm Ave,
La Mesa, CA 91941

$2,750 - $2,900 Total Monthly Price

1-2 Beds | 12 Month Lease

The Fletcher

The Fletcher

5360 Marengo Ave,
La Mesa, CA 91942

$2,295 - $2,895 Total Monthly Price

1-2 Beds

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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 June 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.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity

Equal Housing Opportunity

© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity