Cost of Living in El Centro, CA
Population 44,186 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
El Centro lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $291,000 — 5% below the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in California. A poverty rate near 20% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
El Centro lies roughly 80 miles east of the nearest major metro, El Cajon — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 54% lower than El Cajon's $633,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in El Centro
The median home value in El Centro is $291,100 — 5% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $992/month, 25% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,093/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.9%, above the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. The climate averages highs of 88.6°F and lows of 58.7°F. Overall, El Centro has a cost of living index of 87 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 71 | 74 | 80 | 86 | 94 | 104 | 108 | 108 | 102 | 90 | 78 | 69 |
| Low °F | 42 | 45 | 51 | 56 | 62 | 70 | 78 | 79 | 72 | 60 | 48 | 41 |
| Precip" | 0.41 | 0.38 | 0.29 | 0.08 | 0.07 | 0.00 | 0.11 | 0.15 | 0.18 | 0.19 | 0.18 | 0.34 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in El Centro, CA?
El Centro has a cost index of 87 (100 = national average). It is 13% below the national average.
What is average rent in El Centro, CA?
The median gross rent in El Centro is $992 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in El Centro?
The median home value in El Centro is $291,100 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in El Centro?
The median household income in El Centro is $56,093 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in El Centro, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in El Centro is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is El Centro, CA affordable?
Yes, El Centro is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 87 — about 13% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in El Centro?
El Centro has average high temperatures of 88.6°F and average lows of 58.7°F. Annual precipitation is 2.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
El Centro at a Glance
- Population
- 44,186
- Median Income
- $56,093
- Home Value
- $291,100
- Median Rent
- $992/mo
- Unemployment
- 9.9%
- Avg High Temp
- 88.6°F
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
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California Rankings
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