Bell Gardens, CA vs East Los Angeles, CA

Bell Gardens, CA and East Los Angeles, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.1% difference in their overall index. Bell Gardens scores 134 while East Los Angeles scores 134 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bell Gardens is $1,658/month compared to $1,431/month in East Los Angeles — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while East Los Angeles has cheaper rent, Bell Gardens actually has lower median home values ($527,900 vs $613,600).

Median household income in Bell Gardens is $55,372 compared to $68,378 in East Los Angeles (-19%). While East Los Angeles is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bell Gardens spend roughly 35.9% of their income on rent, more than the 25.1% in East Los Angeles. The East Los Angeles ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.