salaryRent is higher than in 88% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.9 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $103,720 a year. That is $50 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 409 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in La Mesa?
Share of households by yearly income. 34.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in La Mesa
| Size | La Mesa | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,745 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,896 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,351 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,940 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,293 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is La Mesa overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for La Mesa, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in La Mesa
Life in La Mesa
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in La Mesa?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,041 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $812,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $81,200 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in La Mesa, CA?
Renting in La Mesa costs a median of about $2,593 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in La Mesa?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $103,720 a year, or $50 an hour at a full-time job.
Is La Mesa cheap or expensive?
La Mesa is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.4% of the typical household income of $102,488. It ranks 409th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in La Mesa?
The median homeowner in La Mesa pays $5,339 a year in property taxes, about 0.66% of the median home value.
Is La Mesa more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in La Mesa?
The median home value in La Mesa is $812,000, about 7.9 times the typical yearly household income.
60,797 people live in La Mesa. Numbers are typical (middle) values.