Living in South Gate, CA

South Gate is the 397th-largest city in the US, home to about 90,000 people in 2025. It has lost 2.9% 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

90,071-2.9% since 2020

Median home value

$636,3008.5 years of median income

Median rent

$1,531/morent plus utilities

Household income

$74,571median, per year

Price level

113.6US average = 100

January / July highs

67° / 77°lows 47° / 62°

Average commute

33 min7% work from home

State income tax

13.3%top rate, graduated

Cost of living in South Gate

The median home in South Gate is worth $636,300 and the median household earns $74,571 a year, so a typical home costs about 8.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,531 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%.

All items113.6

Housing170.4

Goods106.6

Utilities158.6

Other services104.4

What would my salary be worth in South Gate?

South Gate 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 South Gate

People and work

The median resident is 36.3 years old, and 11% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 45% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 32 minutes; 7% of workers work from home and 4% take public transit.

Median age

36.3264th youngest of 546

Bachelor's or higher

11%adults 25+

Homeowners

45%of households

People per sq mile

12,4467.2 sq mi of land

Take transit to work

4%2% walk, 0.1% bike

Unemployment

7.4%2020-2024 average

Poverty rate

12.7%of residents

Typical home built

1952median year

Who moves to South Gate, 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

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.

Parks and sights near South Gate

The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.

• Disneyland Theme park 19 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Getty Center Museum 18 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Dodger Stadium 9 miles
  BeenWant to go
• J. Paul Getty Museum Museum 18 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Angel Stadium of Anaheim 21 miles
  BeenWant to go
• La Brea Tar Pits Museum 12 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art Museum 12 miles
  BeenWant to go
• University of California-Los Angeles 16 miles
  BeenWant to go
• University of Southern California 7 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles Museum 8 miles
  BeenWant to go
• The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens Botanical garden 14 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Norton Simon Museum Museum 14 miles
  BeenWant to go

Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.

Airports near South Gate

Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.

Colleges in and near South Gate

US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.

Frost dates and fall color in South Gate

Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 9, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around December 31 and the first frost comes around January 5.

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Torrance Airport, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for South Gate.

Wildfire smoke in South Gate

From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered South Gate on about 36 days a year, including about 8 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.

NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.

Home internet in South Gate

Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 25,199 households. Compare every city.

Public schools in South Gate

Downtown South Gate is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.

Other districts within 10 miles: Long Beach Unified School District (62,644 students), Downey Unified School District (22,462 students), Torrance Unified School District (22,023 students), Montebello Unified School District (19,195 students), ABC Unified School District (17,612 students), Compton Unified School District (16,436 students).

National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.

South Gate's twin cities

Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to South Gate's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).

• Richmond, CA67% matchCompare
• Salinas, CA66% matchCompare
• San Leandro, CA66% matchCompare
• Hayward, CA63% matchCompare

Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler

Stargazing near South Gate

The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:

• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park International Dark Sky Park 114 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Borrego Springs International Dark Sky Community 116 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Joshua Tree National Park International Dark Sky Park 132 miles
  BeenWant to go

Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.

Ski resorts near South Gate

• Mount Waterman 32 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Buckhorn Ski Club 32 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Kratka Ridge 33 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Mount Baldy Ski Lifts 40 miles
  BeenWant to go

Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.

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Pros and cons of living in South Gate

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.

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Cons

• Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 8.5 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 Commutes are long: 32 minutes each way on average.
• Data High natural hazard risk in Los Angeles County (FEMA rates it very high), led by wildfire, inland flooding and earthquake.

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South Gate report card from locals

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Cities near South Gate

Straight-line distance between city centers.

South Gate ranks 125th 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 South Gate with another city

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Frequently asked questions

Is South Gate 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 South Gate side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.

What is the population of South Gate?

The Census Bureau estimates South Gate had 90,071 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 92,719 in April 2020 (-2.9%).

How much do you need to earn to live in South Gate?

Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $85,200 in the South Gate area. The median household here earns $74,571.

When is the best time to visit South Gate?

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 South Gate in?

South Gate is in Los Angeles County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.

What time zone is South Gate in?

South Gate is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).

What is the elevation of South Gate?

About 115 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 South Gate. 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.