Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$53,082$4,424 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in El Centro, CA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: El Centro, CA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for El Centro, CA MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $939 | $11,268 | $37,560 | 21.2% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,038 | $12,456 | $41,520 | 23.5% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,362 | $16,344 | $54,480 | 30.8% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,845 | $22,140 | $73,800 | 41.7% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,285 | $27,420 | $91,400 | 51.7% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in El Centro, CA
Based on the local median household income of $53,082/year ($4,424/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in California
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and California state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across California with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in El Centro, CA
What is the median household income in El Centro, CA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in El Centro, CA is $53,082 per year (approximately $4,424 per month).
What is the average rent in El Centro, CA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in El Centro, CA are $939 for a studio, $1,038 for 1 bedroom, $1,362 for 2 bedrooms, $1,845 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,285 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in El Centro, CA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in El Centro, CA is 95.2 (4.8% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in El Centro, CA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,362/month) in El Centro, CA requires a minimum gross household income of $54,480 per year ($4,540 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in El Centro, CA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $53,082/year ($4,424/month) in El Centro, CA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,212/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,327/month to discretionary spending, and $885/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in El Centro, CA?
Residential electricity rates in California average 34.7¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $313 per month.