1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in El Centro, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in El Centro, California as of July 2026. That's +41% lower than the citywide median of $1,719 and +27% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in El Centro
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in El Centro
Compare El Centro's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro (this page) | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 1-bedroom rents than El Centro.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs El Centro |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Quinta, CA | 76.1 mi | $1,960 | +$940 (+92%) |
| Alpine, CA | 76.7 mi | $2,210 | +$1,190 (+117%) |
| Indio, CA | 79.3 mi | $1,790 | +$770 (+75%) |
| Yuma, AZ | 83.3 mi | $1,143 | +$123 (+12%) |
| Palm Desert, CA | 85.3 mi | $1,945 | +$925 (+91%) |
| Ramona, CA | 88.6 mi | $2,250 | +$1,230 (+121%) |
| Rancho Mirage, CA | 89.6 mi | $1,930 | +$910 (+89%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 89.8 mi | $2,020 | +$1,000 (+98%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 90.3 mi | $2,087 | +$1,067 (+105%) |
| Cathedral City, CA | 93.9 mi | $1,740 | +$720 (+71%) |
| Twentynine Palms, CA | 94.6 mi | $1,450 | +$430 (+42%) |
| Palm Springs, CA | 95.1 mi | $1,860 | +$840 (+82%) |
1-Bedroom rent in El Centro — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in El Centro?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in El Centro, California is $1,020 per month. This is +41% below the citywide median of $1,719.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in El Centro?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $40,800 ($3,400/month gross), which works out to roughly $19.62/hour at a full-time job.
Is El Centro expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
El Centro's 1-bedroom median of $1,020 is +27% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 22th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does El Centro rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, El Centro ranks #8 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near El Centro?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 1-bedroom rents than El Centro.