1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in La Mesa, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in La Mesa, California as of July 2026. That's +18% lower than the citywide median of $2,662 and +56% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in La Mesa
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 La Mesa
Compare La Mesa'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? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than La Mesa.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs La Mesa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemon Grove, CA | 3 mi | $1,910 | $-260 (-12%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 3.1 mi | $1,910 | $-260 (-12%) |
| Santee, CA | 6 mi | $2,180 | +$10 (0%) |
| Bonita, CA | 7.1 mi | $2,450 | +$280 (+13%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 7.5 mi | $2,087 | $-83 (-4%) |
| National City, CA | 9 mi | $1,740 | $-430 (-20%) |
| Chula Vista, CA | 9.4 mi | $2,850 | +$680 (+31%) |
| San Diego, CA | 11.1 mi | $2,565 | +$395 (+18%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 12.6 mi | $2,020 | $-150 (-7%) |
| Coronado, CA | 14.6 mi | $3,460 | +$1,290 (+59%) |
| Poway, CA | 14.8 mi | $2,340 | +$170 (+8%) |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 15.5 mi | $2,080 | $-90 (-4%) |
1-Bedroom rent in La Mesa — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in La Mesa?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in La Mesa, California is $2,170 per month. This is +18% below the citywide median of $2,662.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in La Mesa?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $86,800 ($7,233/month gross), which works out to roughly $41.73/hour at a full-time job.
Is La Mesa expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
La Mesa's 1-bedroom median of $2,170 is +56% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 88th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does La Mesa rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, La Mesa ranks #193 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near La Mesa?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Lemon Grove ($1,910), Spring Valley ($1,910), El Cajon ($2,087).