Cost of Living in Whittier, CA
Population 85,925 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Home prices in Whittier run well above the national baseline, with a median of $752,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $92,374 place the city among the better-paid California metros.
Whittier sits roughly 5 miles northeast of Norwalk — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 22% higher than Norwalk's $617,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Whittier
The median home value in Whittier is $751,700 — 146% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,829/month, 39% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $92,374/year is 24% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.4%, 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, Whittier has a cost of living index of 204 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 104% 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 Whittier, CA?
Whittier has a cost index of 204 (100 = national average). It is 104% above the national average.
What is average rent in Whittier, CA?
The median gross rent in Whittier is $1,829 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Whittier?
The median home value in Whittier is $751,700 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Whittier?
The median household income in Whittier is $92,374 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Whittier, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Whittier is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Whittier, CA affordable?
Whittier is above average in cost of living, with an index of 204 — about 104% higher than the national average.
Whittier at a Glance
- Population
- 85,925
- Median Income
- $92,374
- Home Value
- $751,700
- Median Rent
- $1,829/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.4%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
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California Rankings
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