Studio Apartment Rent in El Cajon, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in El Cajon, California as of October 2026. That's +15% lower than the citywide median of $2,259 and +49% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Taft | $870 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 7 | California City | $940 |
| 8 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 9 | Paradise | $970 |
| 10 | Eureka | $980 |
| 11 | Oroville | $985 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 14 | Anderson | $1,060 |
| 15 | Shafter | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $3,570 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 13 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 14 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
| 15 | Saratoga | $2,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than El Cajon.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs El Cajon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santee, CA | 6.5 mi | $2,010 | +$87 (+5%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 7.3 mi | $1,860 | $-63 (-3%) |
| La Mesa, CA | 7.5 mi | $1,995 | +$72 (+4%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 8.1 mi | $1,760 | $-163 (-8%) |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 10 mi | $1,760 | $-163 (-8%) |
| Chula Vista, CA | 13.4 mi | $2,626 | +$703 (+37%) |
| Alpine, CA | 13.6 mi | $2,040 | +$117 (+6%) |
| Poway, CA | 14.6 mi | $2,150 | +$227 (+12%) |
| National City, CA | 15.9 mi | $1,600 | $-323 (-17%) |
| Ramona, CA | 17.7 mi | $2,070 | +$147 (+8%) |
| San Diego, CA | 18.6 mi | $2,363 | +$440 (+23%) |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 21.7 mi | $1,910 | $-13 (-1%) |
Studio rent in El Cajon — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in El Cajon?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in El Cajon, California is $1,923 per month. This is +15% below the citywide median of $2,259.
What income do you need to afford a studio in El Cajon?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $76,920 ($6,410/month gross), which works out to roughly $36.98/hour at a full-time job.
Is El Cajon expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
El Cajon's studio median of $1,923 is +49% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 85th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does El Cajon rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, El Cajon ranks #177 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near El Cajon?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Lakeside ($1,860), Spring Valley ($1,760), Lemon Grove ($1,760).