Rents are 12% below what El Cajon's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,275 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
El Cajon, CA is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 23% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How El Cajon, CA has changed in 5 years
Since 2021, the typical rent in El Cajon, CA has climbed from $1,744 to $2,275, a 30.4% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $58,193 to $67,511 across the same window, up 16.0% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.5% since 2021, moving from about 106,043 residents to roughly 104,449. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in El Cajon, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
Discussions about El Cajon
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Can you afford rent in El Cajon on your salary?
At $2,275/mo, how El Cajon rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
El Cajon rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in El Cajon. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in El Cajon
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in El Cajon is $2,275/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,923/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,580/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,087/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,450/mo.
At 40% of local median household income ($67,511/yr), El Cajon ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is El Cajon an affordable city for renters?
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What percentage of El Cajon residents rent vs. own?
How does El Cajon rent compare to the national average?
At $2,275/mo, rent takes ~40% of El Cajon's median household income ($67,511/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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