Living in El Cajon, CA
El Cajon is the 332nd-largest city in the US, home to about 102,000 people in 2025. It has lost 4.2% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (111.9 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 101,755-4.2% since 2020
- Median home value
- $681,70010.1 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,856/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $67,511median, per year
- Price level
- 111.9US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 69° / 86°lows 43° / 63°
- Average commute
- 25 min11% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: San Diego County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 436 ft
Metro area: San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Cost of living in El Cajon
The median home in El Cajon is worth $681,700 and the median household earns $67,511 a year, so a typical home costs about 10.1 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,856 a month, about 33% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area at 111.9, with housing at 179.3 and goods at 108.0 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $83,900 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in El Cajon?
El Cajon weather
Average highs run from 69°F in January to 86°F in July, and January nights average 42°F. It gets 12 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 57 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are January to June and October to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit El Cajon
People and work
The median resident is 36.1 years old, and 23% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 42% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 25 minutes; 11% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 36.1249th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 23%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 42%of households
- People per sq mile
- 7,01314.5 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%2% walk, 0.4% bike
- Unemployment
- 9.6%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 20.5%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1974median year
Who moves to El Cajon, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Bernardino (San Bernardino County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Very High
FEMA rating for San Diego County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: wildfire, inland flooding, earthquake, heat wave.
Home prices
+2.5% in a year
Up 41% over five years. FHFA house price index for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
18% good days
33 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the San Diego-Carlsbad, CA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near El Cajon
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Petco Park 15 miles
- San Diego State University 9 miles
- University of California-San Diego 19 miles
- Southwestern College 12 miles
- San Diego Mesa College 14 miles
- Grossmont College 5 miles
- National University 12 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near El Cajon
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego International Airport SAN | 17 mi | 12,780,013 |
| McClellan-Palomar Airport CLD | 31 mi | 17,434 |
| Palm Springs International Airport PSP | 75 mi | 1,617,586 |
| John Wayne Airport SNA | 82 mi | 5,370,273 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near El Cajon
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego State University | 9 mi | 35,377 | $13,243 | 78% |
| University of California-San Diego | 19 mi | 34,948 | $14,794 | 86% |
| The University of Arizona Global Campus | 13 mi | 20,152 | $28,679 | 12% |
| Southwestern College | 12 mi | 18,614 | $5,663 | 39% |
| San Diego Mesa College | 14 mi | 16,098 | $21,767 | n/a |
| Grossmont College | 5 mi | 12,163 | $3,900 | 39% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in El Cajon
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 6, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around December 6 and the first frost comes around December 21.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for El Cajon, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for El Cajon.
Wildfire smoke in El Cajon
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered El Cajon on about 36 days a year, including about 5 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in El Cajon
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 33,890 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in El Cajon
Downtown El Cajon is in these districts. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grossmont Union High School District | K to 12 | 16,476 | 15 | 22.0 |
| Cajon Valley Union Elementary School District | K to 12 | 15,992 | 26 | 23.8 |
Other districts within 10 miles: San Diego City Unified School District (95,175 students), Poway Unified School District (34,405 students), Sweetwater Union High School District (34,282 students), Chula Vista Elementary School District (22,245 students), La Mesa-Spring Valley School District (10,460 students), Santee School District (6,076 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
El Cajon's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to El Cajon's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Antioch, CA66% matchCompare
- Pittsburg, CA66% matchCompare
- Concord, CA65% matchCompare
- Roseville, CA63% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near El Cajon
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near El Cajon
- Snow Valley Mountain Resort 99 miles
- Bear Mountain 99 miles
- Snow Summit 99 miles
- Rim Nordic Ski Area 99 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in El Cajon
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data 8 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 69°F.
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 10.1 years of median household income.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 12% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
- Data The population has shrunk 4.2% since 2020.
- Data High natural hazard risk in San Diego County (FEMA rates it very high), led by wildfire, inland flooding and earthquake.
El Cajon report card from locals
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El Cajon through locals' eyes
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Cities near El Cajon
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista, CA | 13 mi | 275,533 | $758,700 | 111.9 | Compare |
| San Diego, CA | 15 mi | 1,406,106 | $906,700 | 111.9 | Compare |
| Escondido, CA | 24 mi | 146,030 | $714,500 | 111.9 | Compare |
| San Marcos, CA | 28 mi | 94,908 | $868,000 | 111.9 | Compare |
| Carlsbad, CA | 33 mi | 112,260 | $1,257,000 | 111.9 | Compare |
| Vista, CA | 34 mi | 98,274 | $762,400 | 111.9 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
El Cajon ranks 28th of 29 in our best suburbs of San Diego ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare El Cajon with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is El Cajon a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 8 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes, a shrinking population. Compare El Cajon side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of El Cajon?
The Census Bureau estimates El Cajon had 101,755 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 106,180 in April 2020 (-4.2%).
How much do you need to earn to live in El Cajon?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $83,900 in the El Cajon area. The median household here earns $67,511.
When is the best time to visit El Cajon?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, January to June and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 86°F and January 69°F for daytime highs.
What county is El Cajon in?
El Cajon is in San Diego County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is El Cajon in?
El Cajon is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of El Cajon?
About 436 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of El Cajon. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, El Cajon, CA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.