salaryRent is higher than in 65% of U.S. cities. Incomes are on the low side for rents this high, so budgets feel tight. A typical house costs about 8.4 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (79%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $77,320 a year. That is $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 200 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Bell Gardens?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bell Gardens
| Size | Bell Gardens | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,299 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,355 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,844 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,340 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,495 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Bell Gardens overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Bell Gardens, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Bell Gardens
Life in Bell Gardens
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bell Gardens?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,980 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $563,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $56,390 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bell Gardens, CA?
Renting in Bell Gardens costs a median of about $1,933 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Bell Gardens?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $77,320 a year, or $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bell Gardens cheap or expensive?
Bell Gardens is rated Expensive: rent takes 34.5% of the typical household income of $67,188. It ranks 200th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Bell Gardens?
The median homeowner in Bell Gardens pays $3,809 a year in property taxes, about 0.68% of the median home value.
Is Bell Gardens more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Bell Gardens?
The median home value in Bell Gardens is $563,900, about 8.4 times the typical yearly household income.
38,229 people live in Bell Gardens. Numbers are typical (middle) values.