Living in El Cajon, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of El Cajon · Census data 2020–2024
El Cajon has 104,449 residents with a median age of 36.1. The median household income is $67,511 (32% lower than the California median), the median home value is $681,700, the median rent is $1,856/month.
El Cajon at a glance
- Population
- 104,449
- Median age
- 36.1State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $67,511State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $681,700State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,856/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 41.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is El Cajon a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 7% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 32% lower than the California median; unemployment of 9.6%; a poverty rate of 20.5%.
The weather is best in April to June and November.
Cost of living in El Cajon
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In El Cajon the median home value is $681,700, 105% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,856 per month, which is 42.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,722 a month in housing costs.
El Cajon median household income
The median household income in El Cajon is $67,511 and the income per person is $31,254. 20.5% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in El Cajon: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 35,185
- Owner-occupied
- 41.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 58.5%
- Vacant
- 3.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 2.97
El Cajon demographics
- Population
- 104,449
- Median age
- 36.1
- Under 18
- 25.6%
- 65 and older
- 14.5%
- Households
- 33,890
- Foreign-born
- 29.3%
- Veterans
- 6.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of El Cajon ›
Education in El Cajon
23% of adults 25 and older in El Cajon have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 7.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in El Cajon
- Unemployment rate
- 9.6%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 11.4%
- Drive alone
- 72.6%
- Public transit
- 2.3%
- Walk to work
- 2.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.6%
El Cajon vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Cajon | 104,449 | $67,511 | $681,700 | $1,856 |
| Bostonia | 16,765 | $78,878 | $487,600 | $2,087 |
| Casa de Oro-Mount Helix | 19,765 | $125,107 | $952,400 | $1,973 |
| Winter Gardens | 22,131 | $97,973 | $608,600 | $1,913 |
| Granite Hills | 3,795 | $155,820 | $974,500 | $1,959 |
| Rancho San Diego | 21,272 | $118,682 | $905,300 | $2,618 |
| La Mesa | 60,797 | $95,028 | $812,000 | $2,049 |
| Santee | 59,332 | $113,394 | $727,200 | $2,250 |
| Lakeside | 22,447 | $96,447 | $634,400 | $2,016 |
More for people moving to El Cajon
El Cajon ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in El Cajon: FAQ
What is the median household income in El Cajon, CA?
The median household income in El Cajon is $67,511, 32% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in El Cajon?
The median home value in El Cajon is $681,700, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in El Cajon?
The median gross rent in El Cajon is $1,856 per month, about 42.3% of household income.
Is El Cajon, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 7% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes. Minuses: median household income 32% lower than the California median; unemployment of 9.6%; a poverty rate of 20.5%.
What is the median age in El Cajon?
The median age in El Cajon is 36.1 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in El Cajon?
The average commute to work in El Cajon is 25 minutes; 11.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in El Cajon?
The unemployment rate in El Cajon is 9.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is El Cajon?
23% of adults in El Cajon have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: