Cost of Living in El Cerrito, CA
Population 5,121 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Home prices in El Cerrito run well above the national baseline, with a median of $598,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $122,472 place the city among the better-paid California metros.
Geographically, El Cerrito is part of the immediate Corona metro area. Median home values run roughly 9% lower than Corona's $657,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in El Cerrito
The median home value in El Cerrito is $598,000 — 96% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,776/month, 35% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $122,472/year is 64% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, El Cerrito has a cost of living index of 172 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 72% more expensive.
El Cerrito has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in El Cerrito, CA?
El Cerrito has a cost index of 172 (100 = national average). It is 72% above the national average.
What is average rent in El Cerrito, CA?
The median gross rent in El Cerrito is $1,776 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in El Cerrito?
The median home value in El Cerrito is $598,000 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in El Cerrito?
The median household income in El Cerrito is $122,472 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in El Cerrito, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in El Cerrito is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is El Cerrito, CA affordable?
El Cerrito is above average in cost of living, with an index of 172 — about 72% higher than the national average.
El Cerrito at a Glance
- Population
- 5,121
- Median Income
- $122,472
- Home Value
- $598,000
- Median Rent
- $1,776/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.0%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
California Rankings
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