La Mesa, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: February 17, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in La Mesa is $2,453, a 1.58% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,493.
Studio Apartments at $1,816 offer the most budget-friendly option with 475 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 672 square feet for $2,167, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $2,707 offer 989 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,235 sq ft) for $3,233, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in La Mesa, CA
Last updated: February 17, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,453 | 836 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,816 | 475 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,167 | 672 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $2,707 | 989 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,233 | 1,235 sq. ft. |
La Mesa, CA rent trends
Rental prices in La Mesa, CA have decreased by 1.58% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,493 to $2,453.
What's the typical rent budget in La Mesa, CA?
The largest share of rentals in La Mesa, CA (36%) fall between $2,001-$2,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in La Mesa, CA?
13,597 or 54% of the households in La Mesa, CA are renter-occupied while 11,581 or 46% are owner-occupied.
How La Mesa Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| La Mesa | $2,453 |
| Los Angeles | $2,740 |
| San Francisco | $3,580 |
| East Bay | $2,643 |
| San Diego | $2,958 |
| Long Beach | $2,645 |
| Sacramento | $1,894 |
| San Jose | $3,118 |
| Oakland | $2,578 |
| Tulare | $1,674 |
| Santa Monica | $3,626 |
| Oceanside, CA | $2,602 |
| Chula Vista, CA | $2,623 |
| Murrieta, CA | $2,382 |
| Carlsbad, CA | $3,242 |
| Escondido, CA | $2,256 |
| El Cajon, CA | $2,199 |
| San Marcos, CA | $2,702 |
| Hemet, CA | $1,717 |
| Encinitas, CA | $3,054 |
| Temecula, CA | $2,376 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all La Mesa apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.