Everything You Should Know Before Moving to El Cerrito, CA
Thinking of moving to El Cerrito, CA? With a population of nearly 26,000, this vibrant Bay Area city features a highly educated community, mild weather with 71% sunny days, and a quick BART commute to San Francisco. Although the median home price is around $1,025,000 and rents average $2,430, El Cerrito balances its high cost of living with excellent public schools, low violent crime (148 per 100K), diverse neighborhoods, and easy access to regional healthcare and cultural amenities.
Demographics - El Cerrito, CA
Demographics - El Cerrito, CA
El Cerrito is home to just under 26,000 residents, offering a diverse community where nearly 30% identify as Asian and close to half as White. The city has a median age of 42, a slight female majority, and over 31% of residents speak a language other than English at home, reflecting a multicultural neighborhood atmosphere.
Population:
25,962
Density:
6,850 per sq mi
Median Age:
42.3
Gender Ratio:
93 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
31.5%
Ethnic Composition
White:
48.7%
Black:
7.6%
Asian:
29.6%
Others:
14.1%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in El Cerrito, CA?
Living in El Cerrito comes with a high cost of living, as the median home value exceeds $1 million and average rent is about $2,430 per month. Housing costs are the largest contributor to the high cost of living index, but residents also pay above-average rates for transportation, groceries, and utilities.
Median House Value:
$1,025,000
Gross Rent:
$2,430
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$120
Auto Insurance:
$1,950
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$3,820
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$940
State Taxes:
Low:
1% (property tax)
|
High:
13.3% (income tax)
Cost Of Living Index:
177.6
Grocery:
127.2
Housing:
297.4
Utilities:
110.5
Transportation:
140.1
Health Care:
121.8
Miscellaneous:
118.0
Crime
Is El Cerrito, CA a safe place to live?
El Cerrito boasts a relatively low violent crime rate of 148 incidents per 100,000 people, making it a safe choice for families. However, property crime is more common, with a 1 in 47 chance annually, so residents should take standard precautions.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
148
Property Crimes Per 100k:
2,110
Crime Index:
2,258
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 675
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 47
Weather
What is the weather like in El Cerrito, CA year-round?
El Cerrito enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate, with summer highs in the mid-70s and winter lows in the low 40s. The city receives about 26.5 inches of rainfall annually and basks in sunshine 71% of the year, making outdoor activities pleasant nearly year-round.
Winter
Min:
43°F
Max:
58°F
Spring
Min:
48°F
Max:
68°F
Summer
Min:
54°F
Max:
74°F
Fall
Min:
50°F
Max:
72°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
26.5 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
71%
Neighbors
Residents of El Cerrito benefit from strong household incomes, with a median household income of $120,300 and a low poverty rate of 6.3%. The community is well-educated, as over 95% of adults have at least a high school diploma and 68% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, while public transit is a popular option for nearly one in five commuters.
Median Income:
$61,300
Household Income:
$120,300
Family Income:
$150,700
Per Capita Income:
$63,900
Income Male:
$70,500
Income Female:
$63,200
Poverty Rate:
6.3%
Non English Speakers:
31.5%
Rent:
$2,430
Unemployment Rate:
3.9%
Public Transport Usage:
19.3%
Commute Time:
34.2 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
95.8%
Bachelors or More:
68.1%
Education
How are the schools in El Cerrito, CA?
El Cerrito offers excellent educational opportunities, highlighted by El Cerrito High School and several elementary options, with student-teacher ratios around 20:1. The city is also conveniently located near top colleges like UC Berkeley, just five miles away, and Contra Costa College, making higher education easily accessible.
Public Schools
Name:
El Cerrito High School
Street:
540 Ashbury Ave
Phone:
510-231-1437
Students:
1,400
Student Teacher Ratio:
20.1
Name:
Fairmont Elementary School
Street:
724 Kearney St
Phone:
510-231-1442
Students:
500
Student Teacher Ratio:
22.4
Private Schools
Name:
St. John the Baptist School
Street:
11156 San Pablo Ave
Phone:
510-234-2244
Students:
250
Colleges
Name:
Contra Costa College
City:
San Pablo
State:
CA
Distance:
3 miles
Students:
6,500
Name:
UC Berkeley
City:
Berkeley
State:
CA
Distance:
5 miles
Students:
45,000
Healthcare
El Cerrito residents have access to nearby top-tier hospitals, including Alta Bates Summit Medical Center and Kaiser Richmond, both offering emergency services. With 3.2 physicians per 1,000 people and over 95% health insurance coverage, healthcare in the area is both accessible and comprehensive.
Major Hospitals
Name:
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center – Berkeley
Address:
2450 Ashby Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
Phone:
(510) 204-4444
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center
Address:
901 Nevin Ave, Richmond, CA 94801
Phone:
(510) 307-1500
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
3.2
Health Insurance Coverage:
95.1%
Health Care Index:
79.4
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in El Cerrito, CA?
The housing market in El Cerrito is competitive, with a median home price around $1,025,000 and a home appreciation rate of 4.1% over the past year. About 62.5% of residents own their homes, and rental vacancy rates are relatively low, reflecting strong demand for both ownership and rental properties.
Median Home Price:
$1,025,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$2,430
Owner Occupied Rate:
62.5%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
4.2%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
4.1%
New Construction Rate:
0.7%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.2%
DMV Information
El Cerrito residents can easily access DMV services at the local branch on Manila Ave, with resources provided by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Typical DMV services like licensing, registration, and testing are available both in person and online.
State:
California
Department:
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
6400 Manila Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Phone:
1-800-777-0133
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.