Housing
Home prices and rent in La Mesa
Median home values, rents and incomes from the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with California and the U.S.
Census geography: La Mesa city, California. These survey estimates are not current listing prices.
La Mesa vs. California and the U.S.
| La Mesa | California | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $812,000 | $734,700 | $332,700 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $2,049 | $2,036 | $1,413 |
| Median household income | $95,028 | $99,122 | $80,734 |
| Homes owned by occupants | 48% | 56% | 65% |
| Median year built | 1971 | 1976 | 1980 |
Ten years of change
| 2014 | 2019 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $379,000 | $530,400 | $812,000 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $1,259 | $1,547 | $2,049 |
| Median household income | $54,630 | $66,051 | $95,028 |
Fair Market Rents (HUD, fiscal year 2027)
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA MSA · San Diego County. HUD's payment benchmarks for housing programs: typical gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a recent mover, not a listing or an asking rent.
Large figures are the metro-area Fair Market Rent; green figures are the range across 3 La Mesa ZIP codes, where HUD sets Small Area Fair Market Rents.
Income limits (HUD, fiscal year 2026)
Area median family income: $130,900. Households at or under these incomes can qualify for many housing programs; check each program's own rules.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low income (80%) | $97,950 | $111,950 | $125,950 | $139,900 | $151,100 | $162,300 | $173,500 | $184,700 |
| Very low income (50%) | $61,250 | $70,000 | $78,750 | $87,450 | $94,450 | $101,450 | $108,450 | $115,450 |
| Extremely low income (30%) | $36,750 | $42,000 | $47,250 | $52,450 | $56,650 | $60,850 | $65,050 | $69,250 |
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents and Income Limits, checked October 9, 2026.
Questions
What is the median home value in La Mesa?
$812,000, according to the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey (5-year estimates), compared with $734,700 in California and $332,700 nationally.
How much is rent in La Mesa?
Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,049 a month, versus $2,036 statewide.
How much have home values risen in La Mesa?
The median home value went from $379,000 in 2014 to $812,000 in 2024 (+114%).
What is fair market rent in La Mesa?
HUD's fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rent for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA MSA is $2,192 for a studio, $2,335 for one bedroom and $2,823 for two bedrooms; across La Mesa's ZIP codes, two-bedroom values run $2,630 to $3,250. These are HUD program benchmarks, not asking rents.
Are these current market prices?
No. They are survey medians from the Census Bureau, based on a five-year survey period, so they lag today’s listings. They are the most consistent way to compare places and track change over time.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2014, 2019, 2024), La Mesa city, California. Values are estimates with margins of error.