salaryRent is lower than in 86% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.6 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $41,400 a year. That is $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 11 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in El Centro?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in El Centro
| Size | El Centro | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $807 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $814 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,151 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,286 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,867 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is El Centro overall?
Everyday prices in the El Centro metro area are 5% below the U.S. average (index 95.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in El Centro
Life in El Centro
What jobs pay in El Centro
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $164,700 | 7.5% |
| Lawyer | $162,580 | 7.6% |
| Pharmacist | $158,490 | 7.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $156,730 | 7.9% |
| Software Developer | $125,930 | 9.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $115,870 | 10.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $109,490 | 11.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $103,450 | 12.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $100,390 | 12.4% |
| Operations Manager | $99,250 | 12.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $84,610 | 14.7% |
| Accountant | $76,280 | 16.3% |
| Police Officer | $76,230 | 16.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $75,220 | 16.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $74,710 | 16.6% |
| Electrician | $74,450 | 16.7% |
| Carpenter | $74,340 | 16.7% |
| Plumber | $62,390 | 19.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $60,540 | 20.5% |
| Truck Driver | $55,140 | 22.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,240 | 26.9% |
| Firefighter | $46,080 | 27.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,290 | 27.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,670 | 27.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,710 | 32.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,350 | 33.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,490 | 35.0% |
| Cashier | $35,090 | 35.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,320 | 36.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in El Centro?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,207 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $323,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $32,310 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in El Centro, CA?
Renting in El Centro costs a median of about $1,035 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in El Centro?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $41,400 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is El Centro cheap or expensive?
El Centro is rated OK: rent takes 21.7% of the typical household income of $57,249. It ranks 11th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in El Centro?
The median homeowner in El Centro pays $2,567 a year in property taxes, about 0.79% of the median home value.
Is El Centro more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in El Centro?
The median home value in El Centro is $323,100, about 5.6 times the typical yearly household income.
44,240 people live in El Centro. Numbers are typical (middle) values.