salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 10.1 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 31.3 minutes each way. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $122,840 a year. That is $59 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 520 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Los Alamitos?
Share of households by yearly income. 38.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Los Alamitos
| Size | Los Alamitos | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,849 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,537 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,854 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Los Alamitos 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 Los Alamitos, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Los Alamitos
Life in Los Alamitos
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Los Alamitos?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,297 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,061,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $106,190 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Los Alamitos, CA?
Renting in Los Alamitos costs a median of about $3,071 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Los Alamitos?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $122,840 a year, or $59 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Los Alamitos cheap or expensive?
Los Alamitos is rated Expensive: rent takes 35.2% of the typical household income of $104,782. It ranks 520th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Los Alamitos?
The median homeowner in Los Alamitos pays $6,728 a year in property taxes, about 0.63% of the median home value.
Is Los Alamitos 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 Los Alamitos?
The median home value in Los Alamitos is $1,061,900, about 10.1 times the typical yearly household income.
11,794 people live in Los Alamitos. Numbers are typical (middle) values.