2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in La Mesa, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in La Mesa, California as of July 2026. That's +1% higher than the citywide median of $2,662 and +62% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than La Mesa.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs La Mesa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemon Grove, CA | 3 mi | $2,360 | $-325 (-12%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 3.1 mi | $2,360 | $-325 (-12%) |
| Santee, CA | 6 mi | $2,700 | +$15 (+1%) |
| Bonita, CA | 7.1 mi | $3,030 | +$345 (+13%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 7.5 mi | $2,580 | $-105 (-4%) |
| National City, CA | 9 mi | $2,150 | $-535 (-20%) |
| Chula Vista, CA | 9.4 mi | $3,526 | +$841 (+31%) |
| San Diego, CA | 11.1 mi | $3,174 | +$489 (+18%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 12.6 mi | $2,500 | $-185 (-7%) |
| Coronado, CA | 14.6 mi | $4,280 | +$1,595 (+59%) |
| Poway, CA | 14.8 mi | $2,890 | +$205 (+8%) |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 15.5 mi | $2,570 | $-115 (-4%) |
2-Bedroom rent in La Mesa — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in La Mesa?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in La Mesa, California is $2,685 per month. This is +1% higher than the citywide median of $2,662.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in La Mesa?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $107,400 ($8,950/month gross), which works out to roughly $51.63/hour at a full-time job.
Is La Mesa expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
La Mesa's 2-bedroom median of $2,685 is +62% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 90th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does La Mesa rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, La Mesa ranks #199 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near La Mesa?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Lemon Grove ($2,360), Spring Valley ($2,360), El Cajon ($2,580).