Cost of Living in Monterey Park, CA

Population 59,639 · California · Data vintage 2023

217
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Monterey Park's housing market carries a clear premium over the US median: $818,000 for a typical home, about 168% above the national figure.

Monterey Park is part of the immediate East Los Angeles metro area — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 33% higher than East Los Angeles' $614,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 268
Rent 140

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Monterey Park

The median home value in Monterey Park is $818,300 — 168% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,845/month, 40% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $77,605/year is 4% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.7%, 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, Monterey Park has a cost of living index of 217 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 117% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$818,300
168% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$919,451
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,845/mo
40% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,494/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
37.0x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,195
1 BR
$1,241
2 BR
$1,544
3 BR
$2,163
4 BR
$2,556
Owner-occupied 51.9%
Renter-occupied 48.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,845
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,459/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
31.9 min
18% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
65.5%
Carpooled
12.3%
Public transit
2.9%
Walked
1.8%
Bicycle
0.9%
Work from home
15.7%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 13.3%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 7.3%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$77,605
4% above avg
Per Capita Income
$37,702
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
17% above avg
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Labor Force Participation
57.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.9%
Graduate degree 10.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 45.5
Male median age 44.4
Female median age 46.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 67 — Moderate
11.2%
Good air days/yr
210
Max AQI recorded
203
PM2.5 days
150
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Monterey Park, CA?

Monterey Park has a cost index of 217 (100 = national average). It is 117% above the national average.

What is average rent in Monterey Park, CA?

The median gross rent in Monterey Park is $1,845 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Monterey Park?

The median home value in Monterey Park is $818,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Monterey Park?

The median household income in Monterey Park is $77,605 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Monterey Park, CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Monterey Park is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is Monterey Park, CA affordable?

Monterey Park is above average in cost of living, with an index of 217 — about 117% higher than the national average.

Monterey Park at a Glance

Population
59,639
Median Income
$77,605
Home Value
$818,300
Median Rent
$1,845/mo
Unemployment
5.7%
Sales Tax
8.7%
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🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

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