El Cajon
- Suburb of San Diego, CA
Suburb
Report Card
- Public Schoolsgrade B+
- Crime & Safetygrade C
- Housinggrade D
- Nightlifegrade B+
- Good for Familiesgrade C+
- Diversitygrade A
- Jobsgrade C minus
- Weathergrade A+
- Cost of Livinggrade D
- Health & Fitnessgrade B
- Outdoor Activitiesgrade A minus
- Commutegrade B+
editorial
About
Real Estate
Median Home Value
$445,600
National
$217,500Median Rent
$1,339
National
$1,062Area Feel
Urban Suburban Mix
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Map
El Cajon Rankings
Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety
grade C
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Violent Crimes
- Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
- Assault299national 282.7
- Murder2.9national 6.1
- Rape36.6national 40.7
- Robbery193.9national 135.5
Property Crimes
- Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
- Burglary357.8national 500.1
- Theft1,269.2national 2,042.8
- Motor Vehicle Theft346.2national 284
Residents
Working in El Cajon
Jobs
grade C minus
Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
Median Household Income
$55,309
National
$62,843Top Public Schools Serving El Cajon
- grade A+
Helix Charter High School
- Rating 4.21 out of 5 779 reviews
- grade A+
Preuss School UCSD
- Rating 4.16 out of 5 283 reviews
- grade A+
Grossmont Middle College High School
- Rating 4.18 out of 5 143 reviews
- grade A
Old Town Academy K-8 Charter School
- grade A
Valhalla High School
- Rating 3.93 out of 5 458 reviews
Top Private Schools in El Cajon
- grade A
Christian Junior/Senior High School
- Rating 3.65 out of 5 26 reviews
- grade A minus
Foothills Christian High School
- Rating 3.97 out of 5 59 reviews
- grade unavailable
Our Lady of Grace Elementary School
- grade unavailable
Holy Trinity Elementary School
- grade unavailable
Christian Elementary School - East Campus
Similar Places
El Cajon Reviews
Rating 3.51 out of 5 269 reviews
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El Cajon is certainly not the worst city, but it not a good place to live unless you have the money to live in the outskirts. There is a huge problem with methamphetamine usage and production in, and near, the city. There is also a large population of homeless people. While all sorts are represented, a disproportionately large percentage of the chronic homeless population here is white, young or middle-aged, and living with drug addiction problems. It is a sad state of affairs. It is generally a rundown and ugly city, the biggest attraction being a mall. The people are relatively unfriendly as well. The cost of rent is lower than many parts of San Diego County, but it is still extremely expensive for what are often poor to middling apartments, at best. The one bright spot in this darkness is that El Cajon boasts a large Chaldean (Iraqi Catholics) population. They bring a welcome taste of diversity in culture and food, and tend to make great neighbors in my experience.
Easy access to the beaches, desert and mountains. Easy access to stores, not far from Santee, Mission valley and other shopping areas. For military the longest commute is to North Island which is 25 miles. The housing cost are less then any where near the beaches or downtown. Also you get a little land out in El Cajon compared to other locations where you are right next to you neighbor. Not much night life in el cajon, there are some dive bars which are pretty cool, but if your looking for dancing or late night partying, there is not to much. School are ok, I transferred my kids to Santee school district which is pretty easy to do and they did all 12 years in Santee school district. The weather gets hot during Aug and mid Sept but the rest of the year it is beautiful. Not as cool as the coast, but with a pool it doesn't really matter. Also, solar is a must on a house in El Cajon, with the electric bills being high. Over all El cajon has been a great place to raise a family.
I moved to el cajon back in 1999,and have been in the development,refurbishing&demolitionist field of property and real estate throughout San Diego Co. And I have witnessed first hand at the change that undergoes small towns especially 'El Cajon'!Many people praise it for 'Diversity' but where is the diversity in a city/town that is 68% Chaldean who own the majority of every gas station,liquor store,small restaurants and mini stores in nearly every neighborhood. Many of the Grocery stores that people shopped at like Aldi's,99¢Sup-stores,Ralphs are all gone and replaced. Not by a bank or new office or place where a job can be squired. They are replaced by a young 20-30yr old Chaldean driving a 2017 or newer Maserati,Bmw,or Mercedes that has only been in the U.S. for maybe 5yrs tops. So if you're someone looking for a no thrills kind of life then Welcome to El Cajon. Because that's as good as it gets.