salaryRent is higher than in 84% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.5 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 31.3 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $98,160 a year. That is $47 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 366 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in South Whittier?
Share of households by yearly income. 38.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in South Whittier
| Size | South Whittier | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,515 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,663 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,050 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,797 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,579 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is South Whittier 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 South Whittier, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in South Whittier
Life in South Whittier
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in South Whittier?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,461 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $708,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $70,830 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in South Whittier, CA?
Renting in South Whittier costs a median of about $2,454 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in South Whittier?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $98,160 a year, or $47 an hour at a full-time job.
Is South Whittier cheap or expensive?
South Whittier is rated OK: rent takes 27.1% of the typical household income of $108,713. It ranks 366th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in South Whittier?
The median homeowner in South Whittier pays $4,414 a year in property taxes, about 0.62% of the median home value.
Is South Whittier 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 South Whittier?
The median home value in South Whittier is $708,300, about 6.5 times the typical yearly household income.
55,650 people live in South Whittier. Numbers are typical (middle) values.