Cost of Living in Bell Gardens, CA

With a cost of living index of 134, Bell Gardens, CA is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 34% more expensive than the national average and 10% below the California state average of 144. With a population of 38,661, Bell Gardens is a mid-sized community that balances access to services with a more manageable cost of living compared to larger metros.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Bell Gardens's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,658 (26% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $527,900 (73% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 9.5x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Bell Gardens is $55,372, which is 26% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 36% of household income on rent. This exceeds the recommended 30% threshold, meaning many renters here are cost-burdened.

Everyday prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.