The San Diego rental market is hot, and it’s easy to see why property owners are investing in the greater San Diego area, but what sets each area apart? El Cajon consists of 14.4 square miles in a valley east of San Diego. With around 100,000 residents, the area is known for families and suburban homes in the greater San Diego area. For real estate investors looking into purchasing a single-family home, El Cajon is a good neighborhood within the San Diego area to consider.
El Cajon Housing History
El Cajon has a history of providing food and entertainment to travelers to and from San Diego. As a stop on the way to 1800’s gold territory, the area was eventually incorporated as its own town in 1912. Later travelers would know the area for its Frontier Town theme park with simulated western shootouts. When these attractions eventually closed down, the area became dominated by single-family homes and smaller industry, shaping the El Cajon community you see today.
El Cajon Housing Demographics
Most recent census data shows 35,850 homes in the El Cajon area. Some additional housing facts include.
- Average household size – 3.06
- Persons under 18 – 25.7%
- Renter-occupied housing 61.7%
- Average home size – 37.9% live in 2 bedrooms
This area is a family dominated neighborhood, with slightly larger than average household size. Many in the community are working class including local industry such as the community college and the Cajon Valley School district.
Renting in El Cajon
San Diego rent is on the rise, and prices should continue to go up. This makes the San Diego area an especially attractive option for investment properties. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is running as high as $2240 per month, while one-bedrooms follow at $1,765 per month.
El Cajon itself is growing at a rate of 4.2%, compared to the national average of 4.1%. Offering itself as an affordable option in the greater San Diego area, the high percentage of area renters still makes this desirable for property owners. Average rent for the El Cajon market currently runs around $1,500.
El Cajon Attractions and Amenities
Downtown El Cajon has many amenities including restaurants and entertainment. Check out the seasonal events like Hauntfest, America on Main, or the Mother Goose Parade. Perhaps you’d enjoy the weekly Cajon Classic cruises or the Dinner and a Concert series.
Don’t forget to explore the surrounding San Diego area too. El Cajon is a short drive from national favorites like the San Diego Zoo, Legoland, and only a short drive from Balboa Park and downtown San Diego.
It’s clear that when you shine a spotlight on El Cajon — there’s more than meets the eye. As an economical option to the greater San Diego area, there is an in-demand rental market for local families that will only continue to rise.
A qualified property management company can help find and screen tenants as well as manage maintenance requests and paperwork. If you’re interested in a full-service property management company for your rental property, PropertyADVANTAGE is an experienced and reputable property management company based in the local San Diego area. For more information about renting out your investment property, download our leasing checklist!