Moving to El Centro
What you need to know before relocating to El Centro, California. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.
Is El Centro a Good Place to Live?
El Centro presents a mixed picture. Prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Key considerations: median household income ($60,243) trails the national median; unemployment rate (17.6%) is above the national average.
El Centro at a Glance
Cost of Living in El Centro
The median rent in El Centro is $1,022/month, while the median home value is $331,900. With a median household income of $60,243, residents spend roughly 20% of monthly income on rent.
Overall, the El Centro metro area is classified as average compared to other US metros.
Job Market
El Centro has a median household income of $60,243, which is 19% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 17.6%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.
Safety in El Centro
The violent crime rate in El Centro is 508 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% above the national average of 380.
Property crime rate: 2326 per 100,000 residents.
Education in California
California has a high school graduation rate of 85% and per-pupil spending of $18,020/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 22:1.
39% of California adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Healthcare Access
California has 285 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 5.9% uninsured rate, and 1.9 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in California is 79.0 years.
Pros and Cons of Living in El Centro
+Pros
- ✓Rent ($1,022/mo) is below the national average
- ✓Low uninsured rate (5.9%) and good healthcare access
-Cons
- ✗Median household income ($60,243) trails the national median
- ✗Unemployment rate (17.6%) is above the national average
- ✗Violent crime rate (508/100k) exceeds the national average
- ✗Longer-than-average commute (58299 min)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Centro a good place to live?⌄
El Centro has both advantages and drawbacks. Prospective residents should weigh median household income ($60,243) trails the national median and unemployment rate (17.6%) is above the national average against other lifestyle factors.
What is the cost of living in El Centro?⌄
The median rent in El Centro is $1,022/month and the median home value is $331,900. The median household income is $60,243. Overall the metro is considered average.
Is El Centro safe?⌄
El Centro has a violent crime rate of 508 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.
What is the job market like in El Centro?⌄
El Centro has an unemployment rate of 17.6%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $60,243.