1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in El Cajon, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in El Cajon, California as of July 2026. That's +8% lower than the citywide median of $2,277 and +50% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in El Cajon
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in El Cajon
Compare El Cajon's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than El Cajon.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs El Cajon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santee, CA | 6.5 mi | $2,180 | +$93 (+4%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 7.3 mi | $2,020 | $-67 (-3%) |
| La Mesa, CA | 7.5 mi | $2,170 | +$83 (+4%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 8.1 mi | $1,910 | $-177 (-8%) |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 10 mi | $1,910 | $-177 (-8%) |
| Bonita, CA | 12.2 mi | $2,450 | +$363 (+17%) |
| Chula Vista, CA | 13.4 mi | $2,850 | +$763 (+37%) |
| Alpine, CA | 13.6 mi | $2,210 | +$123 (+6%) |
| Poway, CA | 14.6 mi | $2,340 | +$253 (+12%) |
| National City, CA | 15.9 mi | $1,740 | $-347 (-17%) |
| Ramona, CA | 17.7 mi | $2,250 | +$163 (+8%) |
| San Diego, CA | 18.6 mi | $2,565 | +$478 (+23%) |
1-Bedroom rent in El Cajon — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in El Cajon?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in El Cajon, California is $2,087 per month. This is +8% below the citywide median of $2,277.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in El Cajon?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $83,480 ($6,957/month gross), which works out to roughly $40.13/hour at a full-time job.
Is El Cajon expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
El Cajon's 1-bedroom median of $2,087 is +50% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 85th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does El Cajon rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, El Cajon ranks #169 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near El Cajon?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Lakeside ($2,020), Spring Valley ($1,910), Lemon Grove ($1,910).