El Cerrito 80 Exceptional
El Cerrito Livability #48 ranked city in California#1,804 ranked city in the USARanks better than 93% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Pros and Cons of Living in El Cerrito

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

  • Crime Crime

    This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.

What's it like Living in El Cerrito?

El Cerrito is a medium-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 25,955 residents. With a population density of 7,098 people per square mile, El Cerrito is well above the nation's average density level. Individuals of White (52%) and Asian (29%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of El Cerrito. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in El Cerrito offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 34 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in El Cerrito could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like crime, commute, health & safety, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in El Cerrito and in the areas around El Cerrito is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 80 out of 100, El Cerrito is ranked #1,494 in the United States and #43 in California. Clearly, El Cerrito is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. El Cerrito is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. El Cerrito ranks well for amenities (A+), education (B+) and housing (B-) El Cerrito does not fare well for the following: crime (F) and cost of living (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in El Cerrito, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in El Cerrito undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their El Cerrito apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to El Cerrito is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in El Cerrito come in at $1,520,060, which is 107.7% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In El Cerrito, the home price to income ratio is 9.5, which is 23.4% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around El Cerrito

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Compare El Cerrito, CA Livability

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      El Cerrito transportation information

      Statistic El Cerrito California National
      Average one way commute34min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work48.7%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.2%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit24.6%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.8%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.3%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home14.8%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The El Cerrito, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.