El Centro, CA—92243
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — El Centro, CA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in El Centro, CA is $370,000, with a year-over-year change of 6.7%. This indicates that home prices in El Centro, CA are increasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 1.6%, suggesting an increase housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $370,000 | 6.7% |
| Single Family | $374,000 | 7.2% |
| Condos | N/A | N/A |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | N/A | N/A |
2 Bed | N/A | N/A |
3 Bed | $354,000 | 7.6% |
4 Bed | N/A | N/A |
| 5 Bed | N/A | N/A |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — El Centro, CA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in El Centro, CA is $1,730, with a year-over-year rent change of -10.8%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in El Centro, CA is studios: $2,790, 1-bedrooms: $985, 2-bedrooms: $1,490, 3-bedrooms: $2,120, 4-bedrooms: $2,480. The most common rental property sizes in El Centro, CA are 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom, accounting for 34.9% and 25.3% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,730 |
| Studio Rent | $925 | $2,790 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $950 | $985 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $1,500 | $1,490 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $1,950 | $2,120 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $2,450 | $2,480 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — El Centro, CA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in El Centro, CA is 57. This is a increase of 23.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 5.0%, representing a small inventory and little supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $435,000 | 2.0% |
Listing Count | 77 | 24.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.3% | 24.0% |
Days on Market | 57 | 23.0% |
Demographics — El Centro, CA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, El Centro, CA has a population of 48,600, which has decreased by -3.8% over the past 5 years. El Centro, CA is a popular place for families, as children make up 29.6% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 16.2% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 4.7% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 48,600 | -3.8% |
% Under 18 | 29.6% | 2.4% |
% Seniors | 13.2% | 1.5% |
% WFH | 4.7% | 4.4% |
% w/ College Degree | 16.2% | -6.4% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, El Centro, CA is a predominantly hispanic area, with 84.9% of the population identifying as hispanic. The hispanic population has grown by 0.5% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in El Centro, CA is white, making up 9.4% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 29.1% of the population in El Centro, CA, and this percentage has decreased by 6.1% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting fewer immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 9.4% | -12.1% |
% Black | 4.0% | 90.5% |
% Hispanic | 84.9% | 0.5% |
% Asian | 1.1% | -52.2% |
% Foreign Born | 29.1% | -6.1% |
Mortgage and Risk — El Centro, CA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 277 mortgage originations in El Centro, CA, of which 62.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 66.0%, with 42.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in El Centro, CA. Investor activity is low, as 3.0% of loans were by investors. 18.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting many homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 277 |
% Conventional Loans | 62.0% |
% Government Loans | 38.0% |
% Investor Loans | 3.0% |
% Second Loans | 2.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 18.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — El Centro, CA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in El Centro, CA under the Section 8 program is 17.3%. This is considered high, suggesting that the neighborhood is heavily composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. 1-bedroom units appear to be good home sizes to consider for Section 8 housing in El Centro, CA, because HUD payments exceed market rent, while 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 1,314 |
Total Units Section 8 | 1,146 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 17.3% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 81.3% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $70 | $950 | $1,020 |
| 2 Bedroom | -$170 | $1,500 | $1,330 |
| 3 Bedroom | -$130 | $1,950 | $1,820 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$230 | $2,450 | $2,220 |
Affordability — El Centro, CA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 5.6 |
| Median Home Price | $370,000 |
| Median Household Income | $55,900 |