Living in El Centro, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of El Centro · Census data 2020–2024
El Centro has 44,240 residents with a median age of 31. The median household income is $53,082 (46% lower than the California median), the median home value is $323,100, the median rent is $1,052/month.
El Centro at a glance
- Population
- 44,240
- Median age
- 31State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $53,082State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $323,100State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,052/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 49.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14.9%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is El Centro a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 56% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 46% lower than the California median; unemployment of 9.9%; a poverty rate of 21.6%.
The weather is best in January to March and November.
Cost of living in El Centro
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In El Centro the median home value is $323,100, about the same as the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,052 per month, which is 32.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,839 a month in housing costs.
El Centro median household income
The median household income in El Centro is $53,082 and the income per person is $23,590. 21.6% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in El Centro: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 14,656
- Owner-occupied
- 49.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 50.5%
- Vacant
- 12%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 3.40
El Centro demographics
- Population
- 44,240
- Median age
- 31
- Under 18
- 30.3%
- 65 and older
- 14%
- Households
- 12,890
- Foreign-born
- 29.6%
- Veterans
- 5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of El Centro ›
Education in El Centro
14.9% of adults 25 and older in El Centro have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 5.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in El Centro
- Unemployment rate
- 9.9%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 5.9%
- Drive alone
- 76.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.5%
El Centro vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro | 44,240 | $53,082 | $323,100 | $1,052 |
| Imperial | 21,430 | $90,195 | $360,900 | $1,255 |
| Heber | 7,312 | $72,028 | $335,600 | $1,086 |
| El Centro Naval Air Facility | 443 | $69,063 | — | $1,741 |
| Seeley | 1,182 | $62,841 | $198,200 | $1,100 |
| Calexico | 38,585 | $49,783 | $313,600 | $1,093 |
| Holtville | 5,617 | $65,039 | $310,100 | $861 |
| Brawley | 27,283 | $59,311 | $290,700 | $988 |
| Westmorland | 1,844 | $28,839 | $310,200 | $793 |
More for people moving to El Centro
El Centro ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in El Centro: FAQ
What is the median household income in El Centro, CA?
The median household income in El Centro is $53,082, 46% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in El Centro?
The median home value in El Centro is $323,100, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in El Centro?
The median gross rent in El Centro is $1,052 per month, about 32.2% of household income.
Is El Centro, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 56% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes. Minuses: median household income 46% lower than the California median; unemployment of 9.9%; a poverty rate of 21.6%.
What is the median age in El Centro?
The median age in El Centro is 31 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in El Centro?
The average commute to work in El Centro is 22 minutes; 5.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in El Centro?
The unemployment rate in El Centro is 9.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is El Centro?
14.9% of adults in El Centro have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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