Rent in El Centro, CA at a glance
2-bedroom rent (HUD)
$1,362$16,344 a year · HUD fiscal year 2026From October 1, 2026: $1,347 (−1.1%)How much rent can you afford in El Centro, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
Rent in El Centro, CA by bedroom, and the pay it takes
Income needed keeps rent at 30% of gross pay; the hourly figure assumes one full-time job, 2,080 hours a year.
| Size | A month | A year | Income needed | Hourly wage needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $939 | $11,268 | $37,560 | $18.06/hr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,038 | $12,456 | $41,520 | $19.96/hr |
| 2 bedroomsMost searched | $1,362 | $16,344 | $54,480 | $26.19/hr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,845 | $22,140 | $73,800 | $35.48/hr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,285 | $27,420 | $91,400 | $43.94/hr |
Cost of living in El Centro, CA: income, prices and a budget →
Living and working in El Centro, CA
Rent in El Centro, CA: common questions
How much is rent going down in El Centro, CA in 2027?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for fiscal 2027, which takes effect October 1, 2026, is $1,347 for a two-bedroom, down 1.1% from $1,362. A one-bedroom goes from $1,038 to $1,030, a studio from $939 to $938.
These are HUD's estimates of what a typical recently rented unit costs, used for housing vouchers. A landlord's increase on your lease follows your lease and your state's rules, not this figure.
What is the average rent in El Centro, CA?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026 is $1,038 for a one-bedroom and $1,362 for a two-bedroom, utilities included. That is $16,344 a year for the two-bedroom.
It is not an average of current listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so asking rents on newer places usually run higher.
How much do you need to make to afford rent in El Centro, CA?
To keep a $1,362 two-bedroom at 30% of gross pay, one full-time worker needs $26.19 an hour, or $54,480 a year. A one-bedroom at $1,038 takes $19.96 an hour.
How much is a 1, 2 or 3-bedroom apartment in El Centro, CA?
At HUD's 2026 Fair Market Rent: studio $939, one bedroom $1,038, two $1,362, three $1,845 and four $2,285 a month.
Is rent affordable in El Centro, CA?
For the typical household, earning $53,082 a year ($4,424 a month, Census ACS), a two-bedroom at $1,362 takes 30.8% of income. Under 30% is the usual line for affordable; this is over it.
How is the income needed for rent worked out?
Rent for a year divided by 0.30, the share of gross income HUD treats as affordable: ($1,362 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $54,480. Divided by 2,080 working hours, that is $26.19 an hour.