B-
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
13%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
6%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index El Centro California National
Cost of living111140100
Goods & Services113111100
Groceries116112100
Health care105109100
Housing106196100
Transportation127126100
Utilities107127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in El Centro, CA

Understanding the cost of living in El Centro can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The El Centro cost of living index is 111, which is 11% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, El Centro goods and services are 12.6% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in El Centro is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 15.6% higher than the national average.

Is El Centro Affordable?

Is El Centro affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take El Centro, for instance, where the median home price falls 13.8% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 13.5% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with El Centro flaunting a median household income of $47,366, 14.4% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in El Centro?

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In El Centro, the groceries index is 15.6% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In El Centro, healthcare costs are 5% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In El Centro, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 1%.

Where is the Data From?

The El Centro cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in El Centro is 20% lower than the California average
  • The cost of living in El Centro is 11% higher than the national average
  • El Centro housing is 6% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around El Centro

See all the best places to live around El Centro

Compare El Centro, CA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$73,030$6,086$1,704$2,191
      Renters$30,413$2,534$710$912
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in El Centro, CA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in El Centro have a median income of $73,030. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,704 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $30,413, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $710.

      California Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      California 7.25% 10.5%

      California Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      California 1% 13.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item El Centro National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.92$24.2610.9%
      Beauty Salon $65.77$45.5644.3%
      Toothpaste $3.73$3.700.7%
      Shampoo $1.50$1.2817.1%
      Movie $16.89$12.1339.2%
      Bowling $24.67$18.0037.1%

      Groceries

      Item El Centro National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.47$5.846.3%
      Fried Chicken $3.05$1.5793.7%
      Milk $4.98$4.676.5%
      Potatoes $4.94$4.930.0%
      Pizza $14.69$12.0921.5%
      Beer $11.25$10.418.1%

      Health Care

      Item El Centro National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $138.66$125.6810.3%
      Doctor $132.50$135.782.4%
      Dentist $121.37$113.297.1%
      Ibuprofen $12.01$10.6512.7%
      Lipitor $508.17$468.608.4%

      Housing

      Item El Centro National avg. Difference
      Home Price $210,100.00$184,700.0013.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,168.91$2,346.69120.3%
      Apartment Rent $821.00$949.0013.5%

      Transportation

      Item El Centro National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.68$3.4635.1%
      Tire Balancing $64.40$59.927.5%

      Utilities

      Item El Centro National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $223.42$193.9915.2%
      Phone $180.31$192.256.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Seeley, CA1,8471066.0%
      Holtville, CA6,12911111.0%
      Heber, CA8,41311211.7%
      Brawley, CA25,94211212.2%
      Calexico, CA39,84111413.6%
      El Centro, CA43,88111111.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Urbandale, IA43,8791022.2%
      Cutler Bay, FL43,92812322.5%
      Riverton, UT43,79312928.7%
      Altamonte Springs, FL43,9691011.5%
      The Colony, TX43,79112019.5%
      El Centro, CA43,88111111.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.