
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the East San Diego/El Cajon Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $1,395 (23 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the East San Diego/El Cajon area of San Diego.


Serena Vista Apartment Homes

Total Monthly Price
Central Park

Volterra Apartments

Colonnade at Fletcher Hills

eaves La Mesa

Vista Palms
Moving to North County San Diego: Costs, Commutes, and Culture
From surf culture to family-friendly neighborhoods, discover the best North County San Diego areas to rent and what they’re like day-to-day.

360 Millar Ave

Vista Del Sol

Ben Franklin Colonial

5111 Dailey Ct

Brierwood Apartments

620 Lemon Ave

1064 Aster Ave
Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

381 Millar Ave

307 Millar Ave

The Boulevard

Franklin Ave Apartments

Dailey Court

Westmont of La Mesa

5121 Dailey Ct
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

628 Millar Ave

735 El Cajon Blvd
East San Diego/El Cajon, San Diego, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in East San Diego/El Cajon?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| East San Diego/El Cajon Studio Apartments | $1,395 | $1,395 | $1,395 |
| East San Diego/El Cajon 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,456 | $1,995 | $3,460 |
| East San Diego/El Cajon 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,861 | $1,900 | $3,800 |
| East San Diego/El Cajon 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,290 | $3,290 | $3,290 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 23 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the East San Diego/El Cajon Neighborhood of San Diego, CA.
See all Apartments in San DiegoExplore San Diego
East San Diego/El Cajon, San Diego, CA Local Guide
- Nearby San Diego neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Available East San Diego/El Cajon Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the East San Diego/El Cajon area of San Diego, CA is a Studio unit found at Vista Palms priced from $1,395. Volterra Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,995. Here are the most affordable East San Diego/El Cajon apartments for rent in San Diego, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vista Palms | Vista Palms 0+1s | Studio,1BA | $1,395 |
| Volterra Apartments | 1 x 1 Cortona A - Renovated | 1BR,1BA | $1,995 |
| Colonnade at Fletcher Hills | A2: 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $2,212 |
| eaves La Mesa | 602 | 1BR,1BA | $2,265 |
| Grossmont Bluffs | 2BD/1BA Split - Remodeled | 2BR,1BA | $2,690 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in East San Diego/El Cajon, CA
As of August 23, 2026 the best value apartment in the East San Diego/El Cajon area is the $3.37 price per square foot 2 Bedroom 1.5 Bathroom Model at Serena Vista Apartment Homes in the in the Lake Murray neighborhood starting from $3,326. The second greatest value East San Diego/El Cajon apartment is the Naples Model at Central Park starting at $3,026 with a $3.27 price per square foot in the Lake Murray neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for East San Diego/El Cajon apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serena Vista Apartment Homes | 2 Bedroom 1.5 Bathroom | 2BR,1.5BA | $3.37 |
| Central Park | Naples | 2BR,2BA | $3.27 |
| Grossmont Bluffs | 2BD/1BA Split - Remodeled | 2BR,1BA | $3.07 |
| Colonnade at Fletcher Hills | A2: 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $3.08 |
| Volterra Apartments | 1 x 1 Cortona A - Renovated | 1BR,1BA | $2.83 |
| eaves La Mesa | 602 | 1BR,1BA | $3.76 |
| Vista Palms | Vista Palms 0+1s | Studio ,1BA | $5.58 |
Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.
Read ArticleThe Student Renter's Ultimate Guide to Finding the Perfect San Diego Neighborhood to Rent
Learn About the Best Neighborhoods to Rent Near College Campuses in San Diego, CA | Find San Diego Off-Campus Student Housing
Read ArticleReal Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University
From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.
Read ArticleQuick 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.
Best Local Schools in East San Diego/El Cajon, San Diego, CA
Northmont Elementary School
Grossmont High School
School data provided by Great Schools
Lifestyle Ratings
Our team is happy to bring you Lifestyle Ratings of neighborhoods, cities, and rental properties across California, including San Diego. LifeStyle Ratings are the best way to sort through finding a place to live - beyond price and floorplan. This takes in many factors including rankings of the best places for easy access to the parks, luxury amenities, kid and pet-friendly communities, availability of transit options, and how walkable or bikeable each community and area is. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap East San Diego/El Cajon Apartments
How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom East San Diego/El Cajon Apartment?
The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom East San Diego/El Cajon Apartment is $1,995 at Volterra Apartments.
What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom East San Diego/El Cajon Apartment for rent?
Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in East San Diego/El Cajon is starting from $2,560 at eaves La Mesa.
Expert Rental Resources
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.
Helpful Local Expert Guides

Moving to North County San Diego: Costs, Commutes, and Culture
Written by: Hayden Goldberg
Sun, surf, clean air, healthy lifestyles, and a coastline that seems to stretch as far as the eyes can see.

Ditch the Freeway: San Diego's Best Renting Spots for a Shorter Commute
Written by: Hayden Goldberg
Hey there! I’m Hayden, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for San Diego.

Your Guide to Picking the Perfect San Diego Neighborhood for Student Renters
Written by: Hayden Goldberg
Choosing the right place to live during your college years can make or break your collegiate experience. My name is Hayden, I’m a San Diego area expert with ApartmentHomeLiving.com and have been in the real estate world for years.

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.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Written by: Robin Stewart
The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags
Written by: Robin Stewart
Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently
Written by: Robin Stewart
Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
Written by: Robin Stewart
Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.