Living in Compton, CA
Compton is the 393rd-largest city in the US, home to about 90,000 people in 2025. It has lost 5.5% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (113.6 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 90,500-5.5% since 2020
- Median home value
- $580,2007.4 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,664/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $78,465median, per year
- Price level
- 113.6US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 67° / 77°lows 47° / 62°
- Average commute
- 31 min5% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: Los Angeles County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 69 ft
Metro area: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Cost of living in Compton
The median home in Compton is worth $580,200 and the median household earns $78,465 a year, so a typical home costs about 7.4 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,664 a month, about 25% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area at 113.6, with housing at 170.4 and goods at 106.6 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $85,200 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in Compton?
Compton weather
Average highs run from 67°F in January to 77°F in July, and January nights average 47°F. It gets 14 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. The most comfortable months are January to December.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Compton
People and work
The median resident is 33.3 years old, and 11% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 56% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 30 minutes; 5% of workers work from home and 4% take public transit.
- Median age
- 33.398th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 11%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 56%of households
- People per sq mile
- 9,02610.0 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 4%1% walk, 0.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 8%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 17.9%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1957median year
Who moves to Compton, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from San Bernardino (San Bernardino County), Riverside (Riverside County) and San Diego (San Diego County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to San Bernardino (San Bernardino County), Riverside (Riverside County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Very High
FEMA rating for Los Angeles County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: wildfire, inland flooding, earthquake, lightning.
Home prices
+1.2% in a year
Up 32% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA (MSAD) area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
11% good days
99 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Pros and cons of living in Compton
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data 12 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 67°F.
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 7.4 years of median household income.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 14% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
- Data The population has shrunk 5.5% since 2020.
- Data High natural hazard risk in Los Angeles County (FEMA rates it very high), led by wildfire, inland flooding and earthquake.
Compton report card from locals
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Cities near Compton
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson, CA | 3 mi | 90,808 | $704,400 | 113.6 | Compare |
| South Gate, CA | 5 mi | 90,071 | $636,300 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Torrance, CA | 6 mi | 138,391 | $1,074,700 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Lakewood, CA | 6 mi | 78,010 | $827,200 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Hawthorne, CA | 7 mi | 82,741 | $863,400 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Long Beach, CA | 7 mi | 450,469 | $806,600 | 113.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Compton ranks 111th of 144 in our best suburbs of Los Angeles ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Compton with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Compton a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 12 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes, long commutes, a shrinking population. Compare Compton side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Compton?
The Census Bureau estimates Compton had 90,500 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 95,754 in April 2020 (-5.5%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Compton?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $85,200 in the Compton area. The median household here earns $78,465.
When is the best time to visit Compton?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, January to December are the most comfortable months. July averages 77°F and January 67°F for daytime highs.
What county is Compton in?
Compton is in Los Angeles County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Compton in?
Compton is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Compton?
About 69 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Compton. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Torrance Airport, CA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.