salaryRent is higher than in 62% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $75,400 a year. That is $36 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 181 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Gardena?
Share of households by yearly income. 30.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Gardena
| Size | Gardena | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,500 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,635 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,986 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,548 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,302 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Gardena overall?
Everyday prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area are 14% above the U.S. average (index 113.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Gardena
Life in Gardena
What jobs pay in Gardena
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $194,410 | 11.6% |
| Physician Assistant | $161,890 | 14.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $161,470 | 14.0% |
| Software Developer | $160,920 | 14.1% |
| Pharmacist | $157,440 | 14.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $135,560 | 16.7% |
| Operations Manager | $125,830 | 18.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $122,980 | 18.4% |
| Police Officer | $121,980 | 18.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $121,560 | 18.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $108,640 | 20.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | 22.2% |
| Firefighter | $98,050 | 23.1% |
| Accountant | $94,360 | 24.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $82,990 | 27.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,310 | 28.5% |
| Carpenter | $75,740 | 29.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $73,830 | 30.6% |
| Electrician | $73,810 | 30.6% |
| Plumber | $71,110 | 31.8% |
| Truck Driver | $60,340 | 37.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,840 | 46.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,760 | 47.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,380 | 47.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,460 | 50.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,390 | 53.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,700 | 60.0% |
| Cashier | $36,980 | 61.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,850 | 63.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Gardena?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,976 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $700,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $70,060 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Gardena, CA?
Renting in Gardena costs a median of about $1,885 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Gardena?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $75,400 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Gardena cheap or expensive?
Gardena is rated OK: rent takes 24.7% of the typical household income of $91,460. It ranks 181st cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Gardena?
The median homeowner in Gardena pays $4,431 a year in property taxes, about 0.63% of the median home value.
Is Gardena more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Gardena?
The median home value in Gardena is $700,600, about 7.7 times the typical yearly household income.
59,422 people live in Gardena. Numbers are typical (middle) values.