El Monte, CA vs Temple City, CA
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. El Monte is 20.1% cheaper than Temple City. With a cost index of 142 vs 178, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from El Monte to Temple City should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in El Monte is $1,677/month compared to $2,034/month in Temple City — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: El Monte is more affordable at $626,000 median vs $930,200.
Median household income in El Monte is $64,484 compared to $102,449 in Temple City (-37.1%). While Temple City is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of El Monte spend roughly 31.2% of their income on rent, more than the 23.8% in Temple City. The Temple City ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (65.8°F vs 65.8°F). Temple City receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 14.3" in El Monte.
Income & Cost
Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)