At $1,573/mo, rent takes about 36% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,573 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($53,082) is $1,327 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,020); a 2-bedroom is $1,330.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for El Centro. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
El Centro, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How El Centro, CA has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $49,244 in 2021 to $53,082 more recently.
Discussions about El Centro
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Can you afford rent in El Centro on your salary?
At $1,573/mo, how El Centro rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
El Centro rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in El Centro. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in El Centro
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in El Centro is $1,573/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $910/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,330/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,020/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,820/mo.
At 36% of local median household income ($53,082/yr), El Centro ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in El Centro?
How does El Centro rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than El Centro?
At $1,573/mo, rent takes ~36% of El Centro's median household income ($53,082/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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