El Monte, CA Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for El Monte, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in El Monte →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
El Monte counts roughly 108,682 residents, and the median household brings in $59,929 annually — -17% relative to the cities in our dataset, putting incomes here below the pack.
In El Monte, the median home is valued at $597,200 — above the median across the cities we track (+83%) — and typical rent runs $1,605 a month. Factor in mortgage rates and property taxes when sizing up whether buying pencils out.
The ratio of median home value to median household income in El Monte — roughly 10.0× — is on the high side, a sign that local pay hasn't kept pace with housing costs. The local market has seen 1.7% price growth over the past year — solid, sustainable movement rather than a rapid runup. Natural-hazard exposure in El Monte is rated Very High by FEMA, on the elevated end — something to check with insurers before buying.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,605/mo in El Monte would take 32.1% of your income.
$107/mo over the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($597,200) would take 63.8% of your income toward principal & interest.
$1,790/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in El Monte
Median home value is $597,200 and median gross rent is $1,605/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Los Angeles rose 1.7% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $2,601/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates El Monte's overall natural-hazard risk as Very High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
El Monte reported a violent crime rate of 409.5 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to El Monte
Planning a move to El Monte? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in El Monte, CA?
- Housing drives most of the cost-of-living picture in El Monte — median home value of $597,200, median rent of $1,605/month — set against a median household income of $59,929 (US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in El Monte?
- At El Monte's median rent of $1,605/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $64,200 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for El Monte.
- Is it better to rent or buy in El Monte?
- With a median home value of $597,200 and median rent of $1,605/month, renting comfortably in El Monte takes about $64,200/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $136,636/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
- Is El Monte safe?
- The most recent FBI figures (2025) show a violent crime rate of 409.5 per 100,000 residents in El Monte.
See the full salary breakdown for El Monte →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of El Monte's.