Apartments for Rent in La Mesa, CA (1,356 Rentals)

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Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

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San Diego's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about San Diego and the best places to live with original content written by our , Local Expert Hayden Goldberg

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Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants

Read our practical guide to landlord and tenant rights. Understand protected classes, reasonable accommodations, and legal exceptions to prevent housing discrimination.

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How a Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit

Learn How a Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit from the Renter University at AparmentHomeLiving.com.

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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 28

La Mesa, CA Local Guide

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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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La Mesa Overview

La Mesa is a perfect location for apartment living. Featuring a mix of urban living with easy access to nature, La Mesa is the best place for a relaxed, yet urban environment.

What is the history of La Mesa?

" Spanish for �the plateau�, the city was founded in 1869 by U.S. settlers. Originally part of the larger Mission San Diego de Alcal�, the area had a Spanish presence during the colonial era. "

How is the weather in La Mesa?

Located just 12 miles east of the Pacific Ocean, La Mesa experiences a hot climate for most of the year. The summer months are generally hot, with highs in the 80s and 90s, with the winter months experiencing lows in the 60s and 70s.

How do I get around town?

La Mesa is part of the San Diego Transportation System, with regular buses running through town. While this is available, it�s not recommended and the best way of getting around is through a personal vehicle.

What is the La Mesa commute like?

" Located on the crossroads of the Kumeyaay Hwy and CA-125, La Mesa has easy access to downtown San Diego and the surrounding neighborhoods. Traffic can be dense depending on time of day, though manageable for weekend and weekday commutes."

What are the local media outlets?

The La Mesa Courier is the main source of local community news, though many residents also read the San Diego Union Tribune. The La Mesa area has a rich radio scene, with stations featuring entertainment, news, and cultural programming such as KPBS and XHGLX.

Why live in La Mesa, CA?

With its easy access to the San Diego metropolitan area, La Mesa is the perfect location for any professional with an urban longing but unwilling to sacrifice small town comforts and space. Given its location close to the coast as well as various natural parks in the area, La Mesa gives endless opportunity for adventure and opportunity. Furthermore, the area features hot summers and warm winters, making it the perfect destination for anyone tired of the unpredictable seasons elsewhere in the country.

What La Mesa landmarks should I see?

One of the most popular landmarks is the �Walkway of the Stars� a pedestrian walkway that has become the core of downtown La Mesa. Created as an urban park, the walkway features themes that honor the city�s volunteers.

What is there to do around La Mesa?

With Farmer�s Markets, the Sundays at Six concert series, and the Grossmont Center mall, La Mesa is full of weekday and weekend activities. If the city calls, La Mesa is only 9 miles outside downtown San Diego.

Any annual festivals or La Mesa events to know?

La Mesa features regular festivals and activities that are fun for visitors and residents of all ages. The most famous festivals are Oktoberfest, the Christmas in the Village, and Antique Street Fair festivals that occur annually within the city.

Where are the nearby vacation spots?

Given its its location in Southern California, La Mesa residents have easy vacation access to Mexico, as well as California attractions such as the Capitan Grande Reservation and Palomar Mountain.

Where is the best place to move in La Mesa?

While a small own in itself, La Mesa is too small to have individual neighborhoods. However, this means that most parts of town are great for apartment living. Given the climate, its important that the apartment has modern HVAC systems involved in order to moderate the temperature in the summers and easy access to amenities is key in order to get the best of the La Mesa experience.

La Mesa, CA
Population: 59,556

Ranked #636

in US Census Population by City

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
La Mesa, CA

Ranked #94

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

2.5
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
La Mesa, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore La Mesa, CA Rentals by Map

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See the most popular apartments and homes in La Mesa, CA

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Getting Around La Mesa, CA

Walk Score®

77 / 100

Very Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

40 / 100

Somewhat Bikeable

Minimal bike infrastructure

Transit Score®

45 / 100

Some Transit

A few nearby public transportation options

What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?

  • Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
  • Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
  • Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Frequently Asked Questions about La Mesa

How much are Studio apartments in La Mesa?

There are currently 105 Studio Apartments in La Mesa with rent ranges from $1,295 to $3,275 with an average price of $1,971.

What is the current price range for One Bedroom La Mesa Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in La Mesa ranges from $1,400 to $4,938 with an average monthly rent of $2,368.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in La Mesa cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in La Mesa range from $1,339 to $5,153. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $2,718.

How expensive are La Mesa Three Bedroom Apartments?

There are currently 198 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in La Mesa on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $930 to $5,895 - averaging $3,008 for the location.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

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Top 10 Most Affordable Neighborhoods in San Diego: A Local Real Estate Expert Guide

Written by: Hayden Goldberg

Aloha! I’m Hayden, your local San Diego Realtor and relocation expert with ApartmentHomeLiving.com.

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Know Your Budget: Calculating What You Can Realistically Afford When Renting

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting an apartment or house isn’t just about looking through online ads, choosing a few apartments or homes you want to tour, filling out an application, and putting down a deposit. Those things are all necessary and important.

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The Freedom of Short-Term Leases: Exploring the Advantages for Renters

Written by: Bobbi Jackson

If you’re looking to relocate right now, a popular solution that may best fit your current rental needs is a short-term lease.

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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Written by: Sandy Baker

Making the decision to rent is exciting and terrifying at the same time. For many people, there are a lot of unknowns.