1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in El Cerrito, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in El Cerrito, California as of July 2026. That's +22% lower than the citywide median of $2,777 and +56% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in El Cerrito
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 Cerrito
Compare El Cerrito'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 | $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
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than El Cerrito.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs El Cerrito |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, CA | 2.2 mi | $2,200 | +$30 (+1%) |
| Richmond, CA | 3.4 mi | $1,950 | $-220 (-10%) |
| Berkeley, CA | 3.7 mi | $2,178 | +$8 (0%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 4.3 mi | $1,481 | $-689 (-32%) |
| Pinole, CA | 5.1 mi | $2,240 | +$70 (+3%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 5.9 mi | $2,350 | +$180 (+8%) |
| Hercules, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,830 | +$660 (+30%) |
| Orinda, CA | 8.4 mi | $2,410 | +$240 (+11%) |
| Oakland, CA | 10.3 mi | $2,062 | $-108 (-5%) |
| Alameda, CA | 10.3 mi | $2,230 | +$60 (+3%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 12 mi | $3,530 | +$1,360 (+63%) |
| Martinez, CA | 12.2 mi | $1,990 | $-180 (-8%) |
1-Bedroom rent in El Cerrito — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in El Cerrito?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in El Cerrito, California is $2,170 per month. This is +22% below the citywide median of $2,777.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in El Cerrito?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $86,800 ($7,233/month gross), which works out to roughly $41.73/hour at a full-time job.
Is El Cerrito expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
El Cerrito's 1-bedroom median of $2,170 is +56% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 88th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does El Cerrito rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, El Cerrito ranks #192 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near El Cerrito?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Richmond ($1,950), San Pablo ($1,481), Oakland ($2,062).