Atlas Alvarado
6535 Alvarado Rd,
San Diego, CA 92120
Studio - 3 Beds | $2,394 - $4,599
Rental Market Trends in La Mesa, CA
Updated September 2026
The average rent in La Mesa, CA is $2,080/month.
Rent in La Mesa is 25% higher than the national average rent of $1,665/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.
$2,080/month
Average Rent
654 Sq Ft
Average Size
+0%
Change / Year
732
Available Apartments
La Mesa rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in La Mesa average $1,651 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in La Mesa average $2,080 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in La Mesa average $2,505 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in La Mesa average $3,006 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in La Mesa, CA?
Rents have remained stable over the past year, with little overall movement.
Market Trends Over Time
September 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in La Mesa, CA
September 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
0%
Below $700/month
2%
$700 - $1,000/month
26%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
27%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
45%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
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.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average 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.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average 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 .
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 $2,080, you’ll want to make about $6,933 per month or $83,196 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.
View the La Mesa Area GuideStudio
-
-
One Bedroom
$1,912/month
$1,912/month
Two Bedroom
$2,498/month
$2,498/month
Three Bedroom
$3,279/month
$3,279/month
Compare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
-
Lemon Grove
Avg Rent: $1,855/month
-
Spring Valley
Avg Rent: $1,868/month
-
El Cajon
Avg Rent: $1,715/month
-
San Diego
Avg Rent: $2,426/month
-
Santee
Avg Rent: $2,128/month
Apartment Communities in La Mesa We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in La Mesa?
The average rent in La Mesa is $2,080 per month, which is 24.9% higher than the national average of $1,665.
What is the average rent for a house in La Mesa?
The average rent for a house in La Mesa, CA is $3,871 per month.
What is the average rent for a townhome in La Mesa?
The average rent for a townhome in La Mesa, CA is $2,949 per month.
What is the average rent for a condo in La Mesa?
The average rent for a condo in La Mesa, CA is $1,930 per month.
Are rents going up or down in La Mesa?
Rents in La Mesa, CA are relatively stable, with minimal month-over-month change.
What rent range is most common in La Mesa?
In La Mesa, CA, 45% of apartments fall above $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
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 September 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.