salaryRent is higher than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 30.2 minutes each way. Most households rent (67%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $68,080 a year. That is $33 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 131 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in East Los Angeles?
Share of households by yearly income. 22.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in East Los Angeles
| Size | East Los Angeles | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,074 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,282 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,743 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,979 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,907 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is East Los Angeles 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 East Los Angeles, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in East Los Angeles
Life in East Los Angeles
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in East Los Angeles?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,760 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $643,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $64,310 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in East Los Angeles, CA?
Renting in East Los Angeles costs a median of about $1,702 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in East Los Angeles?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $68,080 a year, or $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is East Los Angeles cheap or expensive?
East Los Angeles is rated OK: rent takes 27.5% of the typical household income of $74,137. It ranks 131st cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in East Los Angeles?
The median homeowner in East Los Angeles pays $3,990 a year in property taxes, about 0.62% of the median home value.
Is East Los Angeles 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 East Los Angeles?
The median home value in East Los Angeles is $643,100, about 8.7 times the typical yearly household income.
111,647 people live in East Los Angeles. Numbers are typical (middle) values.