California · Metropolitan Area
El Cerrito is a small city in California with a population of 5,121. Residents earn $122,472 per year, which is 63% above the national average.
Based on current data, El Cerrito receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, long commute times. El Cerrito offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in El Cerrito is $122,472, which is significantly higher than the national average — 63% above $75,149. This places El Cerrito among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. Only 3.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 42 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.
The median home value in El Cerrito is $598,000, making it a premium housing market at 112% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,776 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Violent crime in El Cerrito is below the national average at 314 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,782 per 100,000, 93% above the national average.
14.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.
El Cerrito enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.
| English Only | 62.4% |
| 21% below US avg | |
| Spanish | 37.6% |
| 181% above US avg |
| Median HH Income | $122,472 |
| 63% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $37,484 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $3,778 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $232,794 |
| Unemployment | 2.3% |
| 36% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 3.1% |
| 75% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 31,186 |
| County GDP | $217,018M |
| Restaurants | 2,143 |
| Healthcare | 2,617 |
| Retail | 1,916 |
| Manufacturing | 487 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $17,586 |
| 402% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 2.94% |
| Commute Time | 41.8 min |
| Work from Home | 4.8% |
| Census Median | $598,000 |
| 112% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $1,107,672 |
| Median List Price | $652,000 |
| Median List Price | $652,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $271 |
| Homes Sold | 3 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 99.1% |
| Price Drops | 27.3% |
| Inventory | 11 |
| Census Median Rent | $1,776 |
| 53% above US avg | |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $2,486 |
| Studio | $1,513 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,647 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,053 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,752 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,165 |
| Owner-Occupied | 79.4% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $17,586 |
| 402% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 2.94% |
| Obesity | 24.1% |
| 25% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 10.1% |
| Heart Disease | 4.8% |
| High Blood Pressure | 25.8% |
| Asthma | 9.0% |
| COPD | 3.3% |
| Stroke | 2.6% |
| Binge Drinking | 16.1% |
| Physical Inactivity | 24.8% |
| Depression | 21.8% |
| Mental Distress | 17.2% |
| Physical Distress | 9.5% |
| Insurance Rate | 96.5% |
| Checkup Rate | 71.4% |
| Premature Death | 4,006/100K |
| Food Environment | 9.6/10 |
| Exercise Access | 99.5% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 2,617 |
| Total Violent | 314.5/100K |
| 17% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 12.3/100K |
| Robbery | 175.6/100K |
| Assault | 126.6/100K |
| Total Property | 3,781.9/100K |
| 93% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 645.3/100K |
| Theft | 2,724.1/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 412.5/100K |
| Arson | 32.7/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 43 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 58.5°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 51°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 26.1 inches |
| 31% below US avg | |
| Snowfall | 0.0 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 197 ft (60 m) |
| Area | 3.7 sq mi (9.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,395/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.9196°N, 122.3025°W |
| County FIPS | 06081 |
Winner: Democrat by 50.3 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.3% |
| 58% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 80.5% |
| School Test Score | 4.69 |
| RUCC Code 1 | Metro — 1 million+ |
| Population Density | 1,395/sq mi |
| Total Area | 3.7 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 5 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 8 |
| Public Libraries | 34 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 2,617 |
| Restaurants | 2,143 |
| Retail Stores | 1,916 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 43 |
| Avg Commute | 41.8 min |
| Work from Home | 4.8% |