The Courtyard
2000 N 8th St,
El Centro, CA 92243
1-2 Beds | $1,750 - $2,380
Rental Market Trends in El Centro, CA
Updated September 2026
The average rent in El Centro, CA is $1,173/month.
Rent in El Centro is 30% lower than the national average rent of $1,664/month, making this one of the less expensive cities statewide.
$1,173/month
Average Rent
591 Sq Ft
Average Size
+1.6%
Change / Year
95
Available Apartments
El Centro rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in El Centro average $816 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in El Centro average $1,173 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in El Centro average $1,377 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in El Centro average $1,625 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in El Centro, CA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 1.6%, which averages out to $20 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
September 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in El Centro, CA
September 2026
$700 - $1,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
10%
Below $700/month
38%
$700 - $1,000/month
31%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
17%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
3%
Above $2,000/month
What salary do I need to live comfortably in El Centro, CA?
Because the average rent in El Centro is $1,173, you’ll want to make about $3,910 per month or $46,920 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.
How does El Centro, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare El Centro, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.
Compare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
Apartment Communities in El Centro We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in El Centro?
The average rent in El Centro is $1,173 per month, which is 29.5% lower than the national average of $1,664.
Are rents going up or down in El Centro?
Rents in El Centro, CA are increasing, with prices up 1.6% year-over-year and $20 more per month.
What rent range is most common in El Centro?
In El Centro, CA, 38% of apartments fall between $700 - $1,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in September 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.