Living in El Cerrito, California

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of El Cerrito · Census data 2020–2024

El Cerrito has 5,325 residents with a median age of 35.7. The median household income is $108,882 (10% higher than the California median), the median home value is $627,400, the median rent is $1,787/month.

El Cerrito at a glance

Population
5,325
Median age
35.7State: 37.9
Median household income
$108,882State: $99,122
Median home value
$627,400State: $734,700
Median rent
$1,787/moState: $2,036
Homeowners
81.7%
Bachelor's degree or higher
21.6%
Average commute
43 min

Is El Cerrito a good place to live?

Pros: Median household income 10% higher than the California median; home values 15% lower than the state median; unemployment of 5.9%; a poverty rate of 6.9%.

Cons: An average commute of 43 minutes.

The weather is best in April–May and October–November.

Cost of living in El Cerrito

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In El Cerrito the median home value is $627,400, 89% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,787 per month, which is 24% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,020 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

El Cerrito$627,400
California$734,700
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

El Cerrito$1,787
California$2,036
United States$1,413

El Cerrito median household income

The median household income in El Cerrito is $108,882 and the income per person is $35,998. 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).

Median household income

El Cerrito$108,882
California$99,122
United States$80,734

Housing in El Cerrito: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
1,562
Owner-occupied
81.7%
Renter-occupied
18.3%
Vacant
3.9%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1981
Average household size
3.53

El Cerrito demographics

Population
5,325
Median age
35.7
Under 18
23.9%
65 and older
13.6%
Households
1,501
Foreign-born
22.7%
Veterans
4.6%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White38.3%
Hispanic or Latino51.9%
Black2.6%
Asian7.7%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of El Cerrito ›

Education in El Cerrito

21.6% of adults 25 and older in El Cerrito have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 5% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

El Cerrito21.6%
California37.1%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in El Cerrito

Unemployment rate
5.9%State: 6.6%
Average commute
43 minState: 29 min
Work from home
5.7%
Drive alone
74.7%
Public transit
0%
Walk to work
2.1%
Homes with broadband
97.7%

El Cerrito vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
El Cerrito5,325$108,882$627,400$1,787
Home Gardens10,506$96,342$538,700$2,065
Corona159,670$109,242$700,700$2,228
El Sobrante13,129$165,682$836,300$2,880
Coronita2,763$111,932$597,400$1,993
Norco25,054$127,566$782,400$1,925
Temescal Valley30,069$122,051$710,400$2,938
Silverado972$76,797$707,000$2,164
Lake Mathews6,527$94,444$760,900$1,866

More for people moving to El Cerrito

El Cerrito ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in El Cerrito: FAQ

What is the median household income in El Cerrito, CA?

The median household income in El Cerrito is $108,882, 10% higher 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 Cerrito?

The median home value in El Cerrito is $627,400, compared with $734,700 in California.

How much is rent in El Cerrito?

The median gross rent in El Cerrito is $1,787 per month, about 24% of household income.

Is El Cerrito, CA a good place to live?

Pluses: median household income 10% higher than the California median; home values 15% lower than the state median; unemployment of 5.9%; a poverty rate of 6.9%. Minuses: an average commute of 43 minutes.

What is the median age in El Cerrito?

The median age in El Cerrito is 35.7 years (California: 37.9).

How long is the commute in El Cerrito?

The average commute to work in El Cerrito is 43 minutes; 5.7% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in El Cerrito?

The unemployment rate in El Cerrito is 5.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is El Cerrito?

21.6% of adults in El Cerrito 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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