El Cajon, CA—92021
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — El Cajon, CA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in El Cajon, CA is $753,000, with a year-over-year change of -3.6%. This indicates that home prices in El Cajon, CA are decreasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 0.8%, suggesting a relatively flat housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $753,000 | -3.6% |
| Single Family | $779,000 | -3.8% |
| Condos | $448,000 | -6.1% |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | $339,000 | -8.4% |
2 Bed | $500,000 | -4.8% |
3 Bed | $753,000 | -3.3% |
4 Bed | $879,000 | -2.8% |
| 5 Bed | $1,091,000 | -2.2% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — El Cajon, CA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in El Cajon, CA is $2,470, with a year-over-year rent change of -0.8%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in El Cajon, CA is studios: $1,600, 1-bedrooms: $1,880, 2-bedrooms: $2,330, 3-bedrooms: $3,370, 4-bedrooms: $3,940. The most common rental property sizes in El Cajon, CA are 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom, accounting for 44.1% and 27.4% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,230 | $2,470 |
| Studio Rent | $1,700 | $1,600 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $1,850 | $1,880 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $2,300 | $2,330 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $3,200 | $3,370 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $3,880 | $3,940 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — El Cajon, CA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in El Cajon, CA is 37. This is a increase of 13.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 20.0%, representing a small inventory and little supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $747,000 | -3.0% |
Listing Count | 102 | 13.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.3% | 13.0% |
Days on Market | 37 | 13.0% |
Demographics — El Cajon, CA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, El Cajon, CA has a population of 69,300, which has decreased by -2.8% over the past 5 years. El Cajon, CA is a popular place for families, as children make up 25.2% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 22.1% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 9.3% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 69,300 | -2.8% |
% Under 18 | 25.2% | -0.8% |
% Seniors | 15.4% | 25.2% |
% WFH | 9.3% | 158.3% |
% w/ College Degree | 22.1% | 27.0% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, El Cajon, CA is a predominantly white area, with 53.8% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 4.9% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in El Cajon, CA is hispanic, making up 28.2% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 22.3% of the population in El Cajon, CA, and this percentage has decreased by 3.0% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting fewer immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 53.8% | -4.9% |
% Black | 6.4% | 18.5% |
% Hispanic | 28.2% | -6.3% |
% Asian | 5.3% | 96.3% |
% Foreign Born | 22.3% | -3.0% |
Mortgage and Risk — El Cajon, CA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 696 mortgage originations in El Cajon, CA, of which 79.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 60.0%, with 24.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in El Cajon, CA. Investor activity is low, as 3.0% of loans were by investors. 12.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting many homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 696 |
% Conventional Loans | 79.0% |
% Government Loans | 21.0% |
% Investor Loans | 3.0% |
% Second Loans | 0.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 12.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — El Cajon, CA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in El Cajon, CA under the Section 8 program is 15.2%. This is considered high, suggesting that the neighborhood is heavily composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units appear to be good home sizes to consider for Section 8 housing in El Cajon, CA, because HUD payments exceed market rent, while 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 1,527 |
Total Units Section 8 | 1,521 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 15.2% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 82.1% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $60 | $1,850 | $1,910 |
| 2 Bedroom | $60 | $2,300 | $2,360 |
| 3 Bedroom | -$40 | $3,200 | $3,160 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$40 | $3,880 | $3,840 |
Affordability — El Cajon, CA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 9.9 |
| Median Home Price | $753,000 |
| Median Household Income | $70,000 |