2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in El Cerrito, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in El Cerrito, California as of October 2026. That's +3% higher than the citywide median of $2,551 and +59% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 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 | $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
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than El Cerrito.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs El Cerrito |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, CA | 2.2 mi | $2,680 | +$40 (+2%) |
| Richmond, CA | 3.4 mi | $2,375 | $-265 (-10%) |
| Berkeley, CA | 3.7 mi | $2,654 | +$14 (+1%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 4.3 mi | $2,141 | $-499 (-19%) |
| Pinole, CA | 5.1 mi | $2,730 | +$90 (+3%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 5.9 mi | $2,860 | +$220 (+8%) |
| Hercules, CA | 6.6 mi | $3,450 | +$810 (+31%) |
| Orinda, CA | 8.4 mi | $2,930 | +$290 (+11%) |
| Oakland, CA | 10.3 mi | $2,513 | $-127 (-5%) |
| Alameda, CA | 10.3 mi | $2,720 | +$80 (+3%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 12 mi | $4,210 | +$1,570 (+59%) |
| Martinez, CA | 12.2 mi | $2,430 | $-210 (-8%) |
2-Bedroom rent in El Cerrito — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in El Cerrito?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in El Cerrito, California is $2,640 per month. This is +3% higher than the citywide median of $2,551.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in El Cerrito?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $105,600 ($8,800/month gross), which works out to roughly $50.77/hour at a full-time job.
Is El Cerrito expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
El Cerrito's 2-bedroom median of $2,640 is +59% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 89th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does El Cerrito rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, El Cerrito ranks #178 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near El Cerrito?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Richmond ($2,375), San Pablo ($2,141), Oakland ($2,513).