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City Report · CA

Imperial

Pop. 21,430·319th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Imperial, CA
Median rent (all units)
$2,150/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-6.5%
vs US Median
+$185
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Imperial · $2,150
More expensive than 67% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,150/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$86,000/yr
Local median income
$90,195/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Imperial's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,200
1 BR
$1,350
2 BR
$1,750
3 BR
$2,390
4 BR+
$2,920
Research median
$1,750/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$25,800/yr
At $2,150/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -6.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Imperial, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 22.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
21,430
Median income
$90,195
Median age
31.3
Renters
30.5%
Age distribution
34.8%
19.8%
24.8%
Under 1834.8%
18–3419.8%
35–5424.8%
55–6411.1%
65+9.5%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
26.6%
85.4%
White26.6%
Black0.8%
Hispanic85.4%
Asian3.5%
Education (25+)
17%
21.2%
39%
22.7%
No HS diploma17%
HS diploma21.2%
Some college39%
Bachelor's+22.7%
Housing tenure
69.5%
30.5%
Owner69.5%
Renter30.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Imperial, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$81,657 → $90,195
up 10.5%
Population
19,982 → 21,430
up 7.2%
Renter share
34.6% → 30.5%
-4.1 pts
Bachelor's+
20% → 22.7%
+2.7 pts
Median age
28.5 → 31.3
+2.8 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $81,657 in 2021 to $90,195 more recently. The population has grown by 7.2% since 2021, moving from about 19,982 residents to roughly 21,430. Renters now make up 30.5% of households, compared with 34.6% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 22.7% of adults here, versus 20% in 2021.

Community

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View Imperial rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Imperial on your salary?

At $2,150/mo, how Imperial rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Imperial rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Imperial. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Imperial

About renting in Imperial, CA

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Imperial is $2,150/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,200/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,750/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,350/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,390/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($90,195/yr), Imperial ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Imperial an affordable city for renters?

Imperial is considered affordable for renters. At $2,150/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($90,195/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Imperial falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Imperial?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $86,000/year (~$41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,150/mo in Imperial. The local median household income is $90,195/yr, meaning the typical Imperial household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Imperial?

Rent in Imperial has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of June 2026.

How does Imperial rent compare to other cities in California?

Imperial is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #319 out of 384 tracked cities at $2,150/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Imperial?

El Centro is nearby and more affordable at $1,719/mo, which is $431 less than Imperial.

What percentage of Imperial residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.5% of Imperial households are renters, while 69.5% are owner-occupied. Imperial leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Imperial rent compare to the national average?

Imperial's median rent of $2,150/mo is $185 (9%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #319 out of 384 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,150/mo, rent takes ~29% of Imperial's median household income ($90,195/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Imperial 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Imperial, CA

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