How much does it cost to rent in Lake Elsinore, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Lake Elsinore, CA is $2,436. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Lake Elsinore cheaper than other California cities?

Lake Elsinore is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #275 out of 387 cities at $2,436/mo.

When was Lake Elsinore rent data last updated?

Lake Elsinore rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Lake Elsinore a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Lake Elsinore is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (down 2.5% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · CA

Lake Elsinore

Name: Average Rent Prices in Lake Elsinore, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 72,461·275th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Lake Elsinore, CA

Median rent (all units)

$2,436/mo

Year-over-Year

-2.5%

Month-over-Month

-0.2%

vs US Median

+$471

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Lake Elsinore · $2,436

More expensive than 77% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

83/100

Great value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 17% below what Lake Elsinore's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,436/mo

Expected by trend

$2,925/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Lake Elsinore's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,180

1 BR

$2,295

2 BR

$2,800

3 BR

$3,765

4 BR+

$4,525

Research median

$2,800/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$29,232/yr

At $2,436/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 2.5% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-2.5% YoY, -0.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Lake Elsinore, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 24.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

72,461

Median income

$101,888

Median age

33.7

Renters

29.1%

Age distribution

27.3%

24.4%

28.7%

Under 1827.3%

18–3424.4%

35–5428.7%

55–649.7%

65+9.9%

Gender

50.4%

49.6%

Male50.4%

Female49.6%

Race & ethnicity

39.7%

51.6%

White39.7%

Black6.4%

Hispanic51.6%

Asian7.5%

Education (25+)

16.5%

25.1%

34.1%

24.3%

No HS diploma16.5%

HS diploma25.1%

Some college34.1%

Bachelor's+24.3%

Housing tenure

70.9%

29.1%

Owner70.9%

Renter29.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Lake Elsinore, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,991 → $2,436

up 22.4%

Income

$80,350 → $101,888

up 26.8%

Population

68,822 → 72,461

up 5.3%

Renter share

30.3% → 29.1%

-1.2 pts

Bachelor's+

22.2% → 24.3%

+2.1 pts

Median age

31.8 → 33.7

+1.9 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Lake Elsinore, CA has increased by $445 per month, settling near $2,436 after starting the period at $1,991. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $80,350 in 2021 to $101,888 more recently. Income growth outran rent by about 4.4 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 68,822 to 72,461 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.3% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 22.2% to 24.3%. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Lake Elsinore, CA market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Lake Elsinore

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View Lake Elsinore rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lake Elsinore on your salary?

At $2,436/mo, how Lake Elsinore rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 26.2% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 36.9% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 32.1% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 17.9% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 14% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 39.4% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 43.7% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 35.4% income

stretched

By apartment size

Lake Elsinore rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Lake Elsinore. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lake Elsinore

About renting in Lake Elsinore, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lake Elsinore is $2,436/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,180/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,800/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,295/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,765/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($101,888/yr), Lake Elsinore ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Elsinore an affordable city for renters?

Lake Elsinore is considered affordable for renters. At $2,436/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($101,888/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lake Elsinore falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lake Elsinore?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $97,000/year (~$47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,436/mo in Lake Elsinore. The local median household income is $101,888/yr, meaning the typical Lake Elsinore household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lake Elsinore?

Rent in Lake Elsinore has decreased 2.5% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Lake Elsinore neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Lake Elsinore are 92530 ($2,336/mo), and 92532 ($2,733/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Lake Elsinore is $2,436/mo.

How does Lake Elsinore rent compare to other cities in California?

Lake Elsinore is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #275 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,436/mo.

What percentage of Lake Elsinore residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.1% of Lake Elsinore households are renters, while 70.9% are owner-occupied. Lake Elsinore leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lake Elsinore rent compare to the national average?

Lake Elsinore's median rent of $2,436/mo is $471 (24%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #275 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

29%

AFFORDABLE

At $2,436/mo, rent takes ~29% of Lake Elsinore's median household income ($101,888/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lake Elsinore 29%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Lake Elsinore affordability calculator →

Nearby cities