El Centro housing market
Typical home value
$382K
▲ 4.7% 1 yr
Typical rent
$1,803/mo
▲ 6.2% 1 yr
12-month forecast
+3.6%
#79 of 546 metros
Gross rent yield
5.7%
#315 of 546 · U.S. 6.3%
Days to pending
44 days
▲ +2 days 1 yr
Listings with a price cut
19%
▲ +2.4 pts 1 yr
Key takeaways
- 1The typical home is worth $382,009, up 4.7% in a year and up 32% over five years.
- 2Zillow forecasts home values rising 3.6% over the next 12 months (U.S.: +1.1%).
- 3Typical rent is $1,803/mo (+6.2% YoY), a 5.7% gross yield, below the U.S. 6.3%.
- 4At 7.32% with 20% down, the typical home costs $2,099/mo in principal and interest, $296 more than renting.
- 5Homes go under contract in 44 days (+2 days vs last year); 19% of listings have had a price cut.
Market temperature
Neutral market
Buyer'sNeutralSeller's
Zillow Market Heat Index: 52/100, #112 hottest of 546 metros. Below 44 favors buyers; above 55 favors sellers.
Home values and rent
How fast homes are selling
For saleNew listings
Affordability
To buy (20% down)To rent
Source: Zillow Research (ZHVI, ZORI and market activity data).
How El Centro compares
| Measure | El Centro | United States | Rank of 546 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home value, 1-yr change | +4.7% | +1.2% | #87 |
| Home value, 5-yr change | +31.7% | +19.7% | |
| 12-month forecast | +3.6% | +1.1% | #79 |
| Rent, 1-yr change | +6.2% | +2.7% | #74 |
| Gross rent yield | 5.7% | 6.3% | #315 |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 17.7 | 15.8 | |
| Mortgage P&I on typical home | $2,099 | $2,012 | |
| Income needed to buy | $101,683 | $100,902 | |
| Days to pending | 44 | 56 |
Run the numbers
Rental property calculator
Cash flow on a typical El Centro rental ($382K, $1,803/mo), pre-filled.
Mortgage calculator
Monthly payment on a typical El Centro home.
Rent vs buy
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in El Centro?
Renting out a property in California? See deposit limits, late fee rules and notice periods.
Other California metros
Los Angeles, CA
$950K home$2,929 rent3.7% yield
▲ 1.3% 1 yr
San Francisco, CA
$1.12M home$3,445 rent3.7% yield
▲ 3.1% 1 yr
Riverside, CA
$580K home$2,533 rent5.2% yield
▲ 0.6% 1 yr
San Diego, CA
$927K home$2,967 rent3.8% yield
▲ 0.8% 1 yr
Sacramento, CA
$573K home$2,269 rent4.8% yield
■ 0.0% 1 yr
San Jose, CA
$1.52M home$3,812 rent3.0% yield
▲ 0.2% 1 yr
Fresno, CA
$404K home$2,052 rent6.1% yield
▲ 1.1% 1 yr
Bakersfield, CA
$360K home$1,822 rent6.1% yield
■ 0.0% 1 yr
Gross yield = 12 × typical rent ÷ typical home value, before expenses. Mortgage estimate: 20% down, 30-year fixed at the current Freddie Mac average, principal and interest only. Forecast: Zillow Home Value Forecast. Data refreshed Oct 26, 2026.