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City Report · CA

Lemon Grove

Pop. 27,686·241st most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,618/mo
Year-over-Year
+0.8%
Month-over-Month
-2.4%
vs US Median
+$653
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lemon Grove · $2,618
More expensive than 83% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
59/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Lemon Grove's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,618/mo
Expected by trend
$2,747/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Lemon Grove's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,760
1 BR
$1,910
2 BR
$2,360
3 BR
$3,160
4 BR+
$3,840
Research median
$2,360/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$31,416/yr
At $2,618/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (up only 0.8% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.8% YoY, -2.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lemon Grove, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, 20.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
27,686
Median income
$88,009
Median age
37.1
Renters
47.5%
Age distribution
21%
26.6%
23.8%
13.9%
14.6%
Under 1821%
18–3426.6%
35–5423.8%
55–6413.9%
65+14.6%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
32.7%
12.1%
45.4%
White32.7%
Black12.1%
Hispanic45.4%
Asian10.6%
Education (25+)
29.4%
40.1%
20.2%
No HS diploma10.3%
HS diploma29.4%
Some college40.1%
Bachelor's+20.2%
Housing tenure
52.5%
47.5%
Owner52.5%
Renter47.5%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Lemon Grove, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,278 → $2,618
up 14.9%
Income
$71,082 → $88,009
up 23.8%
Population
27,513 → 27,686
up 0.6%
Renter share
46.8% → 47.5%
+0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
20.1% → 20.2%
+0.1 pts
Median age
35.9 → 37.1
+1.2 yrs

Compared with 2023, rent in Lemon Grove, CA has increased by $340 per month, settling near $2,618 after starting the period at $2,278. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $71,082 in 2021 to $88,009 more recently. Income growth outran rent by about 8.9 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Lemon Grove, CA market of 2023.

Community

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View Lemon Grove rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lemon Grove on your salary?

At $2,618/mo, how Lemon Grove rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lemon Grove rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Lemon Grove. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lemon Grove

About renting in Lemon Grove, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lemon Grove is $2,618/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,760/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,360/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,910/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,160/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($88,009/yr), Lemon Grove ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lemon Grove an affordable city for renters?

Lemon Grove is considered moderate for renters. At $2,618/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($88,009/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lemon Grove slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Lemon Grove?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $105,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,618/mo in Lemon Grove. The local median household income is $88,009/yr, meaning the typical Lemon Grove household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lemon Grove?

Rent in Lemon Grove has increased 0.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Lemon Grove rent compare to other cities in California?

Lemon Grove is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #241 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,618/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lemon Grove?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Lemon Grove ($2,618/mo): Spring Valley ($2,435/mo), National City ($2,472/mo).

What percentage of Lemon Grove residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 47.5% of Lemon Grove households are renters, while 52.5% are owner-occupied. Lemon Grove leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lemon Grove rent compare to the national average?

Lemon Grove's median rent of $2,618/mo is $653 (33%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #241 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $2,618/mo, rent takes ~36% of Lemon Grove's median household income ($88,009/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lemon Grove 36%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Lemon Grove affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lemon Grove, CA

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