4+ Bedroom Apartment Rent in El Cajon, CA
Median asking rent for a 4+ bedroom apartment in El Cajon, California as of August 2026. That's +85% higher than the citywide median of $2,275 and +67% above the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,522.
Income needed for a 4+ 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 4+ 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 4+ bedroom in California
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,879 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,930 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,980 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,991 |
| 5 | California City | $2,070 |
| 6 | Florin | $2,076 |
| 7 | Clearlake | $2,100 |
| 8 | Maywood | $2,169 |
| 9 | Porterville | $2,210 |
| 10 | Oroville | $2,215 |
| 11 | El Centro | $2,220 |
| 12 | Paradise | $2,230 |
| 13 | Red Bluff | $2,230 |
| 14 | La Riviera | $2,250 |
| 15 | Eureka | $2,280 |
Most expensive cities for a 4+ bedroom in California
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coronado | $6,970 |
| 2 | Solana Beach | $6,500 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $6,455 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $6,370 |
| 5 | Scotts Valley | $6,270 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $6,270 |
| 7 | Aptos | $6,270 |
| 8 | Newport Beach | $6,188 |
| 9 | Foster City | $6,050 |
| 10 | Irvine | $5,986 |
| 11 | Carlsbad | $5,908 |
| 12 | Los Altos | $5,850 |
| 13 | Encinitas | $5,820 |
| 14 | Laguna Beach | $5,770 |
| 15 | Chula Vista | $5,738 |
Nearby cities — 4+ bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 4+ bedroom rents than El Cajon.
| City | Distance | 4+ Bedroom rent | vs El Cajon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santee, CA | 6.5 mi | $4,400 | +$200 (+5%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 7.3 mi | $4,070 | $-130 (-3%) |
| La Mesa, CA | 7.5 mi | $4,370 | +$170 (+4%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 8.1 mi | $3,840 | $-360 (-9%) |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 10 mi | $3,840 | $-360 (-9%) |
| Chula Vista, CA | 13.4 mi | $5,738 | +$1,538 (+37%) |
| Alpine, CA | 13.6 mi | $4,460 | +$260 (+6%) |
| Poway, CA | 14.6 mi | $4,700 | +$500 (+12%) |
| National City, CA | 15.9 mi | $3,500 | $-700 (-17%) |
| Ramona, CA | 17.7 mi | $4,530 | +$330 (+8%) |
| San Diego, CA | 18.6 mi | $5,167 | +$967 (+23%) |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 21.7 mi | $4,180 | $-20 (0%) |
4+ Bedroom rent in El Cajon — common questions
How much is a 4+ bedroom apartment in El Cajon?
As of August 2026, the median 4+ bedroom apartment rent in El Cajon, California is $4,200 per month. This is +85% higher than the citywide median of $2,275.
What income do you need to afford a 4+ bedroom in El Cajon?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $168,000 ($14,000/month gross), which works out to roughly $80.77/hour at a full-time job.
Is El Cajon expensive for a 4+ bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
El Cajon's 4+ bedroom median of $4,200 is +67% above the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,522. It ranks in the 92th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does El Cajon rank for 4+ bedroom rent in California?
Among the 379 cities in California with 4+ bedroom data, El Cajon ranks #217 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 4+ bedroom options near El Cajon?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 4+ bedroom rents include Lakeside ($4,070), Spring Valley ($3,840), Lemon Grove ($3,840).