ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 92243

Part of El Centro, CA

Pop. 49,069·Imperial County·875th most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$1,565/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

+3.7%

vs US Median

-$367

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 92243 · $1,565

More affordable than 68% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$930

1 BR

$1,030

2 BR

$1,350

3 BR

$1,830

4 BR+

$2,260

Research median

$1,350/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($55,057) is $1,376 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,350); a 3-bedroom is $1,830.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 92243. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$18,780/yr

At $1,565/mo median

Location

CityEl Centro

StateCA

CountyImperial County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +3.7% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 92243 (El Centro, CA) is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 15.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

49,069

Median income

$55,057

Median age

31.1

Renters

48.5%

Age distribution

30%

25.3%

21.5%

13.7%

Under 1830%

18–3425.3%

35–5421.5%

55–649.5%

65+13.7%

Gender

50.4%

49.6%

Male50.4%

Female49.6%

Race & ethnicity

20.2%

85.4%

White20.2%

Black3.2%

Hispanic85.4%

Asian1.1%

Education (25+)

26.5%

27%

31.1%

15.4%

No HS diploma26.5%

HS diploma27%

Some college31.1%

Bachelor's+15.4%

Housing tenure

51.5%

48.5%

Owner51.5%

Renter48.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 92243 in El Centro, CA has changed in 5 years

Income

$48,888 → $55,057

up 12.6%

Population

49,880 → 49,069

down 1.6%

Renter share

49.4% → 48.5%

-0.9 pts

Bachelor's+

16.3% → 15.4%

-0.9 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 92243 in El Centro, CA now reports about $55,057, up from $48,888 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 49,880 to 49,069 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.6% change.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 92243

About renting in ZIP 92243

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 92243 covers El Centro, CA. The median rent here is $1,565/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,030/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,350/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($55,057/yr), ZIP 92243 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 92243?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (about $30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,565/mo in ZIP 92243. The local median household income is $55,057/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.