3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in El Centro, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in El Centro, California as of October 2026. That's +16% higher than the citywide median of $1,573 and +15% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,579 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 4 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 5 | California City | $1,720 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 8 | El Centro (this page) | $1,820 |
| 9 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 10 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 11 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 12 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 13 | Eureka | $1,910 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,910 |
| 15 | Fortuna | $1,920 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $6,010 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $5,870 |
| 3 | Aptos | $5,870 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $5,850 |
| 5 | Coronado | $5,720 |
| 6 | Foster City | $5,690 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $5,380 |
| 8 | Capitola | $5,340 |
| 9 | Solana Beach | $5,330 |
| 10 | Tiburon | $5,250 |
| 11 | Ladera Ranch | $5,250 |
| 12 | Newport Beach | $5,178 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $5,173 |
| 14 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
| 15 | Santa Barbara | $5,050 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 3-bedroom rents than El Centro.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs El Centro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial, CA | 9.3 mi | $2,390 | +$570 (+31%) |
| La Quinta, CA | 76.1 mi | $3,260 | +$1,440 (+79%) |
| Alpine, CA | 76.7 mi | $3,660 | +$1,840 (+101%) |
| Indio, CA | 79.3 mi | $2,975 | +$1,155 (+63%) |
| Yuma, AZ | 83.3 mi | $2,050 | +$230 (+13%) |
| Palm Desert, CA | 85.3 mi | $3,230 | +$1,410 (+77%) |
| Ramona, CA | 88.6 mi | $3,720 | +$1,900 (+104%) |
| Rancho Mirage, CA | 89.6 mi | $3,200 | +$1,380 (+76%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 89.8 mi | $3,340 | +$1,520 (+84%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 90.3 mi | $3,450 | +$1,630 (+90%) |
| Cathedral City, CA | 93.9 mi | $2,880 | +$1,060 (+58%) |
| Twentynine Palms, CA | 94.6 mi | $2,440 | +$620 (+34%) |
3-Bedroom rent in El Centro — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in El Centro?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in El Centro, California is $1,820 per month. This is +16% higher than the citywide median of $1,573.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in El Centro?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $72,800 ($6,067/month gross), which works out to roughly $35.00/hour at a full-time job.
Is El Centro expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
El Centro's 3-bedroom median of $1,820 is +15% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 34th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does El Centro rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, El Centro ranks #8 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near El Centro?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 3-bedroom rents than El Centro.