How much does it cost to rent in Whittier, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Whittier, CA is $2,388. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Whittier cheaper than other California cities?

Whittier is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #285 out of 387 cities at $2,388/mo.

When was Whittier rent data last updated?

Whittier rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Whittier

Name: Average Rent Prices in Whittier, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 86,165·285th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Whittier, CA

Median rent (all units)

$2,388/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.6%

Month-over-Month

+3.4%

vs US Median

+$423

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Whittier · $2,388

More expensive than 76% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

58/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Whittier's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,388/mo

Expected by trend

$2,485/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Whittier's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,854

1 BR

$2,080

2 BR

$2,624

3 BR

$3,334

4 BR+

$3,696

Research median

$2,624/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

$28,656/yr

At $2,388/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 3.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.6% YoY, +3.4% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Whittier, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 29.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

86,165

Median income

$97,201

Median age

38.4

Renters

42.1%

Age distribution

22.7%

22.5%

27.3%

12.5%

15%

Under 1822.7%

18–3422.5%

35–5427.3%

55–6412.5%

65+15%

Gender

48.3%

51.7%

Male48.3%

Female51.7%

Race & ethnicity

31%

67.1%

White31%

Black1.3%

Hispanic67.1%

Asian5.4%

Education (25+)

26.7%

32.3%

29.5%

No HS diploma11.5%

HS diploma26.7%

Some college32.3%

Bachelor's+29.5%

Housing tenure

57.9%

42.1%

Owner57.9%

Renter42.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Whittier, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,794 → $2,388

up 33.1%

Income

$80,306 → $97,201

up 21.0%

Population

87,184 → 86,165

down 1.2%

Renter share

43% → 42.1%

-0.9 pts

Bachelor's+

27.7% → 29.5%

+1.8 pts

Median age

37.4 → 38.4

+1.0 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Whittier, CA paid around $1,794 a month. That figure now sits near $2,388, up 33.1% from the 2021 baseline. On the earnings side, the typical household in Whittier, CA now reports about $97,201, up from $80,306 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Whittier, CA losing about 1,019 residents over the five-year window, down 1.2% on net. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Whittier, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Whittier

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View Whittier rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Whittier on your salary?

At $2,388/mo, how Whittier rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 25.7% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 36.2% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 31.4% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 17.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 13.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 38.7% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 42.8% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 34.7% income

stretched

By apartment size

Whittier rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Whittier

About renting in Whittier, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Whittier is $2,388/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,854/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,624/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,080/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,334/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($97,201/yr), Whittier ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Whittier an affordable city for renters?

Whittier is considered affordable for renters. At $2,388/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($97,201/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Whittier falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Whittier?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $96,000/year (~$46/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,388/mo in Whittier. The local median household income is $97,201/yr, meaning the typical Whittier household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Whittier?

Rent in Whittier has increased 3.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Whittier neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Whittier are 90602 ($2,087/mo), 90601 ($2,307/mo), and 90606 ($2,843/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Whittier is $2,388/mo.

How does Whittier rent compare to other cities in California?

Whittier is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #285 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,388/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Whittier?

Pico Rivera is nearby and more affordable at $2,169/mo, which is $219 less than Whittier.

What percentage of Whittier residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.1% of Whittier households are renters, while 57.9% are owner-occupied. Whittier leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Whittier rent compare to the national average?

Whittier's median rent of $2,388/mo is $423 (22%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #285 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

29%

AFFORDABLE

At $2,388/mo, rent takes ~29% of Whittier's median household income ($97,201/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Whittier 29%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Whittier affordability calculator →

Nearby cities