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City Report · CA

El Monte

Pop. 106,109·288th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for El Monte, CA
Median rent (all units)
$2,381/mo
Year-over-Year
-2.7%
Month-over-Month
-0.8%
vs US Median
+$416
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
El Monte · $2,381
More expensive than 75% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
66/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what El Monte's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,381/mo
Expected by trend
$2,586/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where El Monte's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,600
1 BR
$1,810
2 BR
$2,290
3 BR
$2,940
4 BR+
$3,240
Research median
$2,290/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$28,572/yr
At $2,381/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 2.7% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-2.7% YoY, -0.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

El Monte, CA is majority renter-occupied, 15.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
106,109
Median income
$68,030
Median age
37.8
Renters
59.8%
Age distribution
22.8%
22.9%
26.4%
12.5%
15.4%
Under 1822.8%
18–3422.9%
35–5426.4%
55–6412.5%
65+15.4%
Gender
51%
49%
Male51%
Female49%
Race & ethnicity
67.2%
27.5%
White9.6%
Black0.6%
Hispanic67.2%
Asian27.5%
Education (25+)
35.4%
28.3%
21.1%
15.2%
No HS diploma35.4%
HS diploma28.3%
Some college21.1%
Bachelor's+15.2%
Housing tenure
40.2%
59.8%
Owner40.2%
Renter59.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How El Monte, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,203 → $2,381
up 8.1%
Income
$56,524 → $68,030
up 20.4%
Population
110,144 → 106,109
down 3.7%
Renter share
59% → 59.8%
+0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
13.6% → 15.2%
+1.6 pts
Median age
36.3 → 37.8
+1.5 yrs

Compared with 2023, rent in El Monte, CA has climbed by $178 per month, settling near $2,381 after starting the period at $2,203. Household income in the area moved from $56,524 to $68,030 across the same window, up 20.4% versus 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 12.3 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 110,144 to 106,109 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.7% change. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in El Monte, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about El Monte

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View El Monte rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in El Monte on your salary?

At $2,381/mo, how El Monte rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

El Monte rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in El Monte. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in El Monte

About renting in El Monte, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in El Monte is $2,381/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,600/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,290/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,810/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,940/mo.

At 42% of local median household income ($68,030/yr), El Monte ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is El Monte an affordable city for renters?

El Monte is considered stretched for renters. At $2,381/mo, rent takes approximately 42% of the local median household income ($68,030/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. El Monte significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in El Monte?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $95,000/year (~$46/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,381/mo in El Monte. The local median household income is $68,030/yr, meaning the typical El Monte household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in El Monte?

Rent in El Monte has decreased 2.7% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which El Monte neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in El Monte are 91732 ($2,250/mo), and 91731 ($2,540/mo). Citywide, the median rent in El Monte is $2,381/mo.

How does El Monte rent compare to other cities in California?

El Monte is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #288 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,381/mo.

What percentage of El Monte residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 59.8% of El Monte households are renters, while 40.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, El Monte has a strong rental market.

How does El Monte rent compare to the national average?

El Monte's median rent of $2,381/mo is $416 (21%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #288 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
42%
STRETCHED

At $2,381/mo, rent takes ~42% of El Monte's median household income ($68,030/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

El Monte 42%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the El Monte affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in El Monte
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near El Monte, CA

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