Living in Whittier, CA
Whittier is the 427th-largest city in the US, home to about 86,000 people in 2025. It has lost 3.5% 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
- 85,815-3.5% since 2020
- Median home value
- $822,6008.5 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,906/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $97,201median, per year
- Price level
- 113.6US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 69° / 84°lows 46° / 66°
- Average commute
- 33 min12% 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 367 ft
Metro area: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Cost of living in Whittier
The median home in Whittier is worth $822,600 and the median household earns $97,201 a year, so a typical home costs about 8.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,906 a month, about 24% 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 Whittier?
Whittier weather
Average highs run from 69°F in January to 84°F in July, and January nights average 46°F. It gets 12 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 39 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are September to July.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Whittier
People and work
The median resident is 38.4 years old, and 30% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 58% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 33 minutes; 12% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 38.4393rd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 30%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 58%of households
- People per sq mile
- 5,85814.6 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%2% walk, 0.7% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.4%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 9.1%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1956median year
Who moves to Whittier, 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.
Parks and sights near Whittier
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Dodger Stadium 14 miles
- Angel Stadium of Anaheim 15 miles
- University of California-Los Angeles 24 miles
- University of Southern California 15 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Whittier
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Long Beach Airport LGB | 13 mi | 2,031,810 |
| Hawthorne Municipal Airport HHR | 18 mi | 6,417 |
| Los Angeles International Airport LAX | 22 mi | 37,760,834 |
| John Wayne Airport SNA | 23 mi | 5,370,273 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Whittier
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Fullerton | 11 mi | 38,546 | $5,115 | 68% |
| California State University-Long Beach | 14 mi | 35,924 | $9,426 | 70% |
| University of California-Los Angeles | 24 mi | 33,475 | $14,659 | 93% |
| Mt San Antonio College | 12 mi | 26,140 | $1,676 | 45% |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | 13 mi | 25,042 | $9,404 | 68% |
| Pasadena City College | 12 mi | 21,466 | $16,993 | 48% |
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 Whittier
Freezing nights are rare here.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Fullerton Municipal Airport, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Whittier.
Wildfire smoke in Whittier
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Whittier on about 36 days a year, including about 7 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 Whittier
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 28,099 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Whittier
Downtown Whittier is in these districts. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whittier City Elementary School District | K to 8 | 5,291 | 13 | 22.3 |
| Whittier Union High School District | 9 to 12 | 9,846 | 7 | 22.3 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Los Angeles Unified School District (408,026 students), Long Beach Unified School District (62,644 students), Anaheim Union High School District (26,120 students), Downey Unified School District (22,462 students), Montebello Unified School District (19,195 students), ABC Unified School District (17,612 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Whittier's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Whittier's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Concord, CA67% matchCompare
- San Leandro, CA63% matchCompare
- Antioch, CA61% matchCompare
- Hayward, CA61% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Whittier
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Whittier
- Buckhorn Ski Club 26 miles
- Mount Waterman 26 miles
- Kratka Ridge 27 miles
- Mount Baldy Ski Lifts 31 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Whittier
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 11 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 69°F.
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: 33 minutes each way on average.
- Data The population has shrunk 3.5% since 2020.
Whittier report card from locals
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Whittier through locals' eyes
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Cities near Whittier
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwalk, CA | 6 mi | 97,104 | $644,700 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Downey, CA | 6 mi | 108,468 | $796,600 | 113.6 | Compare |
| El Monte, CA | 6 mi | 105,075 | $644,000 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Buena Park, CA | 9 mi | 81,741 | $838,800 | 113.6 | Compare |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 9 mi | 111,647 | $643,100 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Alhambra, CA | 10 mi | 79,820 | $857,800 | 113.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Whittier ranks 101st 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 Whittier with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Whittier a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 11 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes, long commutes, a shrinking population. Compare Whittier side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Whittier?
The Census Bureau estimates Whittier had 85,815 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 88,939 in April 2020 (-3.5%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Whittier?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $85,200 in the Whittier area. The median household here earns $97,201.
When is the best time to visit Whittier?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, September to July are the most comfortable months. July averages 84°F and January 69°F for daytime highs.
What county is Whittier in?
Whittier is in Los Angeles County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Whittier in?
Whittier is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Whittier?
About 367 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 Whittier. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Fullerton Municipal Airport, CA station; snowfall from San Gabriel Fire Dept, CA. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.