By Manuella Irwin
Updated: Sep 5, 2026
6 min read
Reviewed by Martin Pаnауоtоv
Martin is founder of MoveAdvisor, formerly MyMovingReviews.com.
317 movers in El Cajon
What to know when moving to El Cajon, CA
TL;DR: El Cajon at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A community where 33.6% hold a bachelor's degree and 32.7% of residents are renters.
- The Major Draw:
- The median household income is $99,266, providing a solid financial backdrop.
- The Reality Check:
- With only 0.5% using public transit, it is a car-dependent area.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for a median rent of $2,141 per month.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
El Cajon features a population of 45,801 with a median household income of $99,266. The area has a significant renter presence at 32.7%, indicating a mix of housing preferences. With an educational attainment rate of 33.6% holding at least a bachelor's degree, the community leans towards the educated side. The local climate contributes to about 50 rainy days annually, making it advisable to plan for occasional wet weather.
Probably not your spot if: you rely on public transit, as only 0.5% of residents commute this way.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median gross rent is $2,141, which could impact your monthly budget significantly.
- The median home value stands at $727,400, indicating a relatively high cost of homeownership.
- Education level is notable with 33.6% of residents having a bachelor's degree or higher.
- The poverty rate is 10.6%, suggesting a portion of the population faces economic challenges.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
California's crime rates show a mixed trend, with property crime decreasing 26.1% from 2022 to 2025, while violent crime has dropped by 17.4% in the same period.
- Violent crime: 415.5 per 100k, compared to the national rate of 325.3.
- Property crime: 1,764 per 100k, higher than the national average of 1,546.9.
- Notable trend: Homicide rates decreased by 44.9% since 2022.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for California).
Schools & Higher Ed
Access to education is strong, with a total of 20 postsecondary institutions in the area.
- Institutions with College Scorecard data: 18.
- Notable schools include Cuyamaca College and Grossmont College.
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations, NCES College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
El Cajon experiences an annual precipitation of about 12.1 inches, spread across approximately 50 rainy days. The region is dry in the summer with only 0.3 inches of rain.
- Parks & outdoor spots worth checking out:
- Mission Trails Regional Park - 4.8 stars (7,805 reviews)
- Parkway Plaza - 4.2 stars (9,546 reviews)
- Rohr Park - 4.6 stars (2,954 reviews)
- Lake Murray Community Park - 4.7 stars (1,739 reviews)
Sources: NOAA Climate Data Online, Google Places.
Jobs & the Local Economy
In San Diego County, the unemployment rate is currently 4.4%, with a labor force of approximately 1.68 million people.
- Employed: 1,604,783.
- Unemployed: 74,132.
Source: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
