2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in El Centro, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in El Centro, California as of October 2026. That's +15% lower than the citywide median of $1,573 and +20% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $1,171 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | California City | $1,230 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 7 | El Centro (this page) | $1,330 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,370 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 2 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 3 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 4 | Montecito | $4,540 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 2-bedroom rents than El Centro.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs El Centro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial, CA | 9.3 mi | $1,750 | +$420 (+32%) |
| La Quinta, CA | 76.1 mi | $2,440 | +$1,110 (+83%) |
| Alpine, CA | 76.7 mi | $2,740 | +$1,410 (+106%) |
| Indio, CA | 79.3 mi | $2,230 | +$900 (+68%) |
| Yuma, AZ | 83.3 mi | $1,503 | +$173 (+13%) |
| Palm Desert, CA | 85.3 mi | $2,420 | +$1,090 (+82%) |
| Ramona, CA | 88.6 mi | $2,780 | +$1,450 (+109%) |
| Rancho Mirage, CA | 89.6 mi | $2,400 | +$1,070 (+80%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 89.8 mi | $2,500 | +$1,170 (+88%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 90.3 mi | $2,580 | +$1,250 (+94%) |
| Cathedral City, CA | 93.9 mi | $2,160 | +$830 (+62%) |
| Twentynine Palms, CA | 94.6 mi | $1,810 | +$480 (+36%) |
2-Bedroom rent in El Centro — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in El Centro?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in El Centro, California is $1,330 per month. This is +15% below the citywide median of $1,573.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in El Centro?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $53,200 ($4,433/month gross), which works out to roughly $25.58/hour at a full-time job.
Is El Centro expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
El Centro's 2-bedroom median of $1,330 is +20% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 28th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does El Centro rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, El Centro ranks #7 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near El Centro?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 2-bedroom rents than El Centro.