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Home/States/California/East Los Angeles

California·Pop. 111,647·Mid-size cities

Is East Los Angeles a Good Place to Live? East Los Angeles, California: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings

East Los Angeles ranks #1265 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #248 of 256 mid-size cities and #184 of 188 in California. Against similar-size cities it has no measure in the top quarter and trails on high living costs (113.6, #220 of 256) and expensive homes ($643,100, #208 of 256).

East Los Angeles vs similar-size cities →East Los Angeles vs the rest of California →Cost of living →
Composite score
40.9F
All US cities we track
#1265 of 1,312
Cities of 100,000 to 250,000
#248 of 256
Cities in California
#184 of 188

Scored on 7 of 11 categories with local data. How the score works

NumbersNumbersCost of livingCostSafetySafetyIncome & jobsJobsPeoplePeopleSchools & healthSchoolsCommute & climateCommuteAir & hazardsHazardsSimilar citiesSimilarIn the stateIn stateScoreScoreFAQFAQ
Top ↑

East Los Angeles by the numbers

The measures people check first, each with East Los Angeles's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).

Median household income
$68,741
#843 of 1,312 (1 = highest) · US $76,827
Typical home value (Zillow)
$666,566
#993 of 1,187 (1 = cheapest) · US $368,697
Median rent (Census)
$1,494/mo
#717 of 1,309 (1 = cheapest) · similar-size $1,641/mo
Cost of living index
113.6
#1185 of 1,308 (1 = cheapest) · US 100
Average commute
30.2 min
#1118 of 1,312 (1 = shortest) · similar-size 24.6 min

No crime figure is shown for East Los Angeles: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is East Los Angeles safe?

What is the cost of living in East Los Angeles?

East Los Angeles's cost of living index is 113.6, 14% above the US level of 100 and #1185 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,494/mo against $1,641/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $666,566, 13% below the typical California home ($764,158).

Cost of living and housing in East Los Angeles
MeasureEast Los AngelesCaliforniaCASimilar-size citiesUS
Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 101.8 · US 100113.6#1185 of 1,308113101.8100
Typical home value (Zillow)Zillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $439,863 · US $368,697$666,566#993 of 1,187$764,158$439,863$368,697
Typical asking rent (Zillow)Zillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,871/mo · US $1,948/mo$2,111/mo#762 of 1,115—$1,871/mo$1,948/mo
Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $405,750$643,100#1111 of 1,309—$405,750—
Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,641/mo$1,494/mo#717 of 1,309—$1,641/mo—
Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 5x9.4x#1271 of 1,309—5x—
Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 23.9%26.1%#1094 of 1,309—23.9%—

Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.

East Los Angeles housing market · August

Typical home value
$666,566
+0.2% in 1 yr · +12.1% in 5 yr · California $764K
Typical rent
$2,111/mo
+2.3% in 1 yr · asking rent, all home types
California market
Hot
24% price cuts · 47 days to pending
Value vs. state
-13%
East Los Angeles vs. typical California home

Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. East Los Angeles is in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro.

California housing market →
  • Run a household budget for California →

Is East Los Angeles safe?

No police agency reports crime to the FBI for East Los Angeles alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a East Los Angeles crime rate or rank it on safety. California as a whole records 440 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 373 nationally.

  • Safest cities in California →
  • Safest states →

What do people earn in East Los Angeles?

The median household in East Los Angeles earns $68,741, 11% below the US figure of $76,827 and 25% below California ($91,905). 17.3% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and jobs in East Los Angeles
MeasureEast Los AngelesCaliforniaCASimilar-size citiesUS
Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $80,112 · US $76,827$68,741#843 of 1,312$91,905$80,112$76,827
Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 12.6%17.3%#998 of 1,312—12.6%—

Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.

  • Wages by occupation and metro →

Who lives in East Los Angeles?

The median resident of East Los Angeles is 34.7 years old, against 36.7 in similar-size cities. 11.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1296 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 33.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.

Who lives in East Los Angeles
MeasureEast Los AngelesSimilar-size citiesUS
Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 36.734.736.7—
Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 34%11.4%#1296 of 1,31234%—
Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 56.7%33.5%56.7%—

Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.

How are East Los Angeles's schools and health?

We have too few school records for East Los Angeles to describe its public schools. 31.9% of adults are obese and 14.8% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 33.3% and 11.5%.

Schools and health in East Los Angeles
MeasureEast Los AngelesSimilar-size citiesUS
Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 33.3%31.9%#535 of 1,31133.3%—
Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.5%14.8%#1152 of 1,31111.5%—
Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 17.5%18.7%#992 of 1,31117.5%—
Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.1%25.3%#1271 of 1,31111.1%—

Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.

What are the commute and weather like in East Los Angeles?

The average commute in East Los Angeles is 30.2 minutes (California 25.2); 6.1% of workers take transit and 8.5% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index East Los Angeles scores 14.3 of 20 (above average walkable), #113 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 72.4°F and winters 58.4°F, with 14.3 inches of precipitation a year.

How people get to work in East Los Angeles
MeasureEast Los AngelesCaliforniaCASimilar-size citiesUS
Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 24.6 min30.2 min#1118 of 1,31225.2 min24.6 min—
Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6%12.1%#1150 of 1,31211.9%6%—
Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.7%63.7%68.4%70.7%—
Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1%6.1%3.6%1.1%—
Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.6%3.1%2.4%1.6%—
Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3%0.7%0.7%0.3%—
Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.3%8.5%13.6%13.3%—
Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.614.3#113 of 1,312—11.6—

Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.

Average highs, lows and precipitation by month
90°40°
68
68
70
72
74
77
82
84
83
79
73
67
3.6″
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Monthly climate normals for East Los Angeles
MonthAverage high (°F)Average low (°F)Precipitation (inches)
Jan6848.93.3
Feb68503.6
Mar69.952.42.2
Apr72.454.80.7
May73.758.10.3
Jun77.261.40.1
Jul8264.70
Aug8465.40
Sep8364.20.1
Oct78.659.90.6
Nov72.953.10.8
Dec67.448.22.5

Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Los Angeles Downtown/Usc.

Climate in East Los Angeles
MeasureEast Los AngelesSimilar-size citiesUS
Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 62.1°F65.8°F62.1°F—
Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 76.9°F72.4°F76.9°F—
Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F58.4°F47.7°F—
Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.8 in14.3 in36.8 in—

Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Los Angeles Downtown/Usc.

What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in East Los Angeles?

Los Angeles County's air had a median air quality index of 74, and 11% of measured days were rated good; 98 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Los Angeles County's biggest natural hazard losses in earthquake, inland flooding, and wildfire, with expected yearly losses of 0.39% of building value, higher than 93% of US counties.

Air quality and natural hazards around East Los Angeles
MeasureEast Los AngelesSimilar-size citiesUS
Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 4674#1066 of 1,13846—
Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 498#1066 of 1,1384—
Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.16%0.39%#1172 of 1,3120.16%—

Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Los Angeles County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.

Natural hazard losses, Los Angeles County

HazardYearly lossHigher than
Earthquake0.17%99% of counties
Inland flooding0.16%93% of counties
Wildfire0.0098%84% of counties

FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.

How does East Los Angeles compare with similar-size cities?

East Los Angeles is one of 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track and ranks #248 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 111,647.

CityRankScoreIncomeRentViolent crimeCommute
East Los Angeles, CAPop. 111,647#126540.9$68,741$1,494/mono data30.2 min
Lansing, MIPop. 113,023#120145.0$54,382$993/mo1,33718.9 min
Gresham, ORPop. 112,378#88252.0$77,795$1,586/mo36226 min
Peoria, ILPop. 112,169#115346.5$59,410$1,005/mo1,25617.9 min
Everett, WAPop. 111,845#61856.4$83,512$1,740/mo25226.9 min
Pueblo, COPop. 111,561#124742.6$56,664$1,082/mo1,17719.4 min
Tuscaloosa, ALPop. 111,038#108248.3$51,464$1,055/mo48019.6 min
South Fulton, GAPop. 110,471#76353.9$82,324$1,702/mo47732.5 min
Nampa, IDPop. 110,319#46658.6$74,279$1,420/mo31024.4 min

Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).

  • All 1,312 cities →

How does East Los Angeles compare with the rest of California?

East Los Angeles ranks #184 of the 188 California cities we track, with a score of 40.9 against California's statewide 42.9. Its households earn 25% below the California median. Homes are 13% below the typical California home.

CityRank in CAScoreIncomeRentViolent crime
Palo Alto, CAPop. 67,237#170.9$231,101$3,484/mo159
Sunnyvale, CAPop. 154,236#269.3$186,170$3,039/mo188
Cupertino, CAPop. 58,566#368.3$234,707$3,501/mo70
Santa Clara, CAPop. 130,256#468.1$178,958$3,016/mo172
Folsom, CAPop. 83,916#568.0$139,804$2,352/mo161
San Mateo, CAPop. 103,105#667.1$153,504$3,077/mo168
Dublin, CAPop. 70,803#766.5$214,385$3,191/mo146
Pleasanton, CAPop. 76,960#865.2$190,124$3,060/mo123
Mountain View, CAPop. 83,732#965.1$189,917$3,062/mo208
Encinitas, CAPop. 61,480#1065.1$162,229$2,886/mo108
Apple Valley, CAPop. 75,473… #18041.4$69,882$1,444/mo485
Palmdale, CAPop. 164,634#18141.3$81,770$1,802/mo483
Inglewood, CAPop. 104,569#18241.3$72,750$1,787/mo684
San Bernardino, CAPop. 222,724#18341.2$67,415$1,508/mo893
East Los Angeles, CAPop. 111,647#18440.9$68,741$1,494/mono data
Lancaster, CAPop. 169,169#18540.6$81,511$1,764/mo767
Compton, CAPop. 92,698#18639.2$78,465$1,664/mo1,245
Victorville, CAPop. 137,627#18738.6$74,410$1,618/mo740
Florence-Graham, CAPop. 60,690#18837.9$65,132$1,521/mono data

The top 10 of the 188 and the cities ranked either side of East Los Angeles among the California cities we track, by overall score. California statewide: median income $91,905, violent crime 440 per 100,000.

  • All 188 California cities →
  • Is California a good place to live? →
  • California vs its neighbors →
  • Who is moving to California →

How is East Los Angeles's score calculated?

East Los Angeles scores 40.9 out of 100, #1265 of 1,312 (grade F, which follows rank). It is scored on the 7 of 11 categories with local data; safety, education, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with California's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.

  • Economy
    City data, some inputs missing · 24% of score

    Median household income and unemployment in East Los Angeles. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 52.9.

    29.3
  • Health
    City data · 19% of score

    Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in East Los Angeles. Similar-size median 53.8.

    47.1
  • Affordability
    City data · 16% of score

    East Los Angeles's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.1.

    44.4
  • Household finances
    City data · 13% of score

    Median household income and poverty rate in East Los Angeles. Similar-size median 51.2.

    38.2
  • Transportation
    City data · 11% of score

    Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in East Los Angeles. Similar-size median 50.1.

    45.6
  • Walkability
    City data · 11% of score

    The EPA's walkability index across East Los Angeles's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 56.1.

    70.0
  • Environment
    County data · 6% of score

    Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 45.9.

    3.5
  • Safety
    Not scored

    No FBI figures from a police agency serving East Los Angeles alone.

    —
  • Education
    Not scored

    Too few school records for East Los Angeles.

    —
  • Growth
    Not scored

    The Census does not estimate yearly population for East Los Angeles.

    —
  • Outdoor access
    Not scored

    No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.

    —

Bar: East Los Angeles's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories East Los Angeles has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology

Frequently asked questions about living in East Los Angeles

Is East Los Angeles, CA a good place to live?

East Los Angeles ranks #1265 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #248 of 256 mid-size cities and #184 of 188 in California. Against similar-size cities it has no measure in the top quarter and trails on high living costs (113.6, #220 of 256) and expensive homes ($643,100, #208 of 256).

What is the cost of living in East Los Angeles?

East Los Angeles's cost of living index is 113.6, 14% above the US level of 100 and #1185 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,494/mo against $1,641/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $666,566, 13% below the typical California home ($764,158).

Is East Los Angeles safe?

No police agency reports crime to the FBI for East Los Angeles alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a East Los Angeles crime rate or rank it on safety. California as a whole records 440 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 373 nationally.

What is the median household income in East Los Angeles?

The median household in East Los Angeles earns $68,741, 11% below the US figure of $76,827 and 25% below California ($91,905). 17.3% of residents live below the poverty line.

How much is rent in East Los Angeles?

Median rent in East Los Angeles is $1,494/mo (Census), #717 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Zillow's typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $2,111/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 26.1% of the median household's income.

How much does a house cost in East Los Angeles?

Zillow's typical home value in East Los Angeles is $666,566, up 0.2% in a year, against $764,158 for California and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $643,100.

How are the public schools in East Los Angeles?

We have too few school records for East Los Angeles to describe its public schools.

How long is the commute in East Los Angeles?

The average commute is 30.2 minutes, #1118 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 25.2 minutes across California. 12.1% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.

What is the weather like in East Los Angeles?

East Los Angeles averages 65.8°F over the year, 72.4°F in summer and 58.4°F in winter, with 14.3 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.

Is East Los Angeles walkable?

East Los Angeles scores 14.3 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (above average walkable), #113 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.

What natural disasters is East Los Angeles at risk for?

Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Los Angeles County's biggest natural hazard losses in earthquake, inland flooding, and wildfire, with expected yearly losses of 0.39% of building value, higher than 93% of US counties.

How is the air quality in East Los Angeles?

Los Angeles County's air had a median air quality index of 74, and 11% of measured days were rated good; 98 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone.

Who lives in East Los Angeles?

East Los Angeles has 111,647 residents. The median resident of East Los Angeles is 34.7 years old, against 36.7 in similar-size cities. 11.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1296 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 33.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.

How does East Los Angeles compare with the rest of California?

East Los Angeles ranks #184 of the 188 California cities we track, with a score of 40.9 against California's statewide 42.9. Its households earn 25% below the California median. Homes are 13% below the typical California home.

What cities are similar in size to East Los Angeles?

The tracked cities in other states closest to East Los Angeles's population of 111,647 are Lansing, MI (#1201 overall), Gresham, OR (#882 overall), Peoria, IL (#1153 overall), Everett, WA (#618 overall), and Pueblo, CO (#1247 overall). East Los Angeles is #1265.