Cost of Living in Bell Gardens, CA
Population 38,661 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
The Bell Gardens cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $528,000, rents near $1,658 a month. A poverty rate near 22% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Bell Gardens is part of the immediate Downey metro area — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 28% lower than Downey's $729,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Bell Gardens
The median home value in Bell Gardens is $527,900 — 73% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,658/month, 26% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,372/year is 26% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, above the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Bell Gardens has a cost of living index of 154 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 54% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Bell Gardens, CA?
Bell Gardens has a cost index of 154 (100 = national average). It is 54% above the national average.
What is average rent in Bell Gardens, CA?
The median gross rent in Bell Gardens is $1,658 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Bell Gardens?
The median home value in Bell Gardens is $527,900 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Bell Gardens?
The median household income in Bell Gardens is $55,372 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Bell Gardens, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bell Gardens is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Bell Gardens, CA affordable?
Bell Gardens is above average in cost of living, with an index of 154 — about 54% higher than the national average.
Bell Gardens at a Glance
- Population
- 38,661
- Median Income
- $55,372
- Home Value
- $527,900
- Median Rent
- $1,658/mo
- Unemployment
- 6.0%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Explore county-level cost of living data
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