salaryRent is higher than in 83% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 32.5 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $95,920 a year. That is $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 345 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in La Palma?
Share of households by yearly income. 45.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in La Palma
| Size | La Palma | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $2,166 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,300 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,923 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,672 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is La Palma 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 La Palma, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in La Palma
Life in La Palma
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in La Palma?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,357 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $973,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $97,360 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in La Palma, CA?
Renting in La Palma costs a median of about $2,398 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in La Palma?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $95,920 a year, or $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is La Palma cheap or expensive?
La Palma is rated OK: rent takes 22.6% of the typical household income of $127,251. It ranks 345th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in La Palma?
The median homeowner in La Palma pays $5,959 a year in property taxes, about 0.61% of the median home value.
Is La Palma 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 La Palma?
The median home value in La Palma is $973,600, about 7.7 times the typical yearly household income.
15,272 people live in La Palma. Numbers are typical (middle) values.