1st Advantage MortgageLos Angeles County households have a median income of $90,112 and median rent of $1,954 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Los Angeles County by the numbers
- The Los Angeles County job picture
- Income in Los Angeles County compared with California
- Housing costs in Los Angeles County
- Places inside Los Angeles County
- How Los Angeles County compares with nearby counties
- Debt-to-income at Los Angeles County's medians
- Los Angeles County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Los Angeles County
- Lender oversight for Los Angeles County
- Four steps for Los Angeles County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Los Angeles County by the numbers
Roughly 9,808,667 residents live in Los Angeles County, California, 1st by population among the state's 58 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 4,060 square miles, that is close to 2,416 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 142 Census places inside Los Angeles County, Los Angeles leads by population with about 3,857,263; 88 of the 142 are incorporated.
The Los Angeles County job picture
The biggest employer of Los Angeles County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 22% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (14%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 7.3% in Los Angeles County. About 65% drive to work alone and 23% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 8.9% of the total (7.1% statewide).
| Sector | Los Angeles County | Compared with California |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.1% | +0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 13.9% | -0.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.6% | +1.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.7% | -0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.5% | -0.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.5% | +0.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Los Angeles County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Income in Los Angeles County compared with California
The median household income in Los Angeles County is $90,112; statewide it is $99,122, so Los Angeles County runs 9% below California as a whole. In the state ranking that is 26th of 58.
| Band | Los Angeles County | Compared with California |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.4% | +2.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 34.2% | +1.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.9% | -1.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 17.5% | -3.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 45% of Los Angeles County households make $100,000 or more, and 20% make less than $35,000. 13.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.0%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Los Angeles County median.
Housing costs in Los Angeles County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,954 in Los Angeles County versus $2,036 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 58% of renter households here. With a median value of $834,200, a typical Los Angeles County house costs 9.3 times what the median household earns in a year. 46% of Los Angeles County households own their home and 54% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1965.
| Los Angeles County | California | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,954/mo | $2,036/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $834,200 | $734,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 46% | 56% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 58% | 55% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 43% | 38% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 6% | 7% | n/a |
Renters cannot borrow against a house, which narrows the choice to unsecured loans, cards and help from creditors; compare total cost, not just the payment. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Places inside Los Angeles County
142 Census places fall mainly inside Los Angeles County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 9,730,687 residents, leaving about 1% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $250,001 at the median in Hidden Hills, $50,509 in Westmont. Rent is cheapest in La Habra Heights ($1,206) and steepest in Rancho Palos Verdes ($3,501). 10 of them have a separate city guide (linked). For the rest, this is the local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | city | 3,857,263 | $81,939 | $1,933 | 15 mi |
| Long Beach | city | 455,548 | $87,430 | $1,871 | 29 mi |
| Santa Clarita | city | 230,221 | $123,062 | $2,544 | 20 mi |
| Glendale | city | 190,748 | $88,393 | $2,182 | 1 mi |
| Lancaster | city | 169,169 | $81,511 | $1,764 | 35 mi |
| Palmdale | city | 164,634 | $81,770 | $1,802 | 29 mi |
| Pomona | city | 147,943 | $79,479 | $1,810 | 30 mi |
| Torrance | city | 142,130 | $116,217 | $2,280 | 26 mi |
| Pasadena | city | 136,969 | $105,192 | $2,265 | 8 mi |
| East Los Angeles | CDP | 111,647 | $68,741 | $1,494 | 13 mi |
| Downey | city | 110,939 | $90,699 | $1,937 | 19 mi |
| West Covina | city | 107,037 | $101,065 | $2,245 | 22 mi |
| El Monte | city | 106,109 | $68,030 | $1,736 | 16 mi |
| Inglewood | city | 104,569 | $72,750 | $1,787 | 17 mi |
How Los Angeles County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (45 to 127 miles). 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Los Angeles County; Orange County is highest at $116,289 and Kern County lowest at $70,210.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | - | $90,112 | $1,954/mo | 46% |
| Orange County, CA | 45 mi | $116,289 | $2,434/mo | 56% |
| Ventura County, CA | 51 mi | $109,797 | $2,317/mo | 65% |
| Kern County, CA | 84 mi | $70,210 | $1,300/mo | 60% |
| Santa Barbara County, CA | 104 mi | $98,161 | $2,131/mo | 52% |
| San Diego County, CA | 118 mi | $106,268 | $2,246/mo | 55% |
| San Bernardino County, CA | 127 mi | $85,478 | $1,801/mo | 62% |
Debt-to-income at Los Angeles County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Los Angeles County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $7,509 gross per month ($90,112 / 12)
- Median rent: $1,954, or 26 cents of every gross dollar
- At 35%, room after rent is $674 a month
- $1,425: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Los Angeles County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Los Angeles County households compared
36% of Los Angeles County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 8.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Los Angeles County | California statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.2 | 37.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 36.0% | 37.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 19.1% | 15.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.2% | 6.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.9% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 17.1% | 17.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.7% | 12.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.3% | 6.6% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Los Angeles County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.2% |
| 60+ min | 12.3% |
Borrowing situations common in Los Angeles County
A few patterns in the Los Angeles County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Long drives. With 23% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Los Angeles County budgets.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 45% of Los Angeles County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Rent squeeze. 58% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Lender oversight for Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the California state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Los Angeles County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the California license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
City guides inside Los Angeles County, and the statewide guide:
- Los Angeles, CA
- Long Beach, CA
- Glendale, CA
- Torrance, CA
- Pasadena, CA
- Burbank, CA
- Carson, CA
- Santa Monica, CA
- Gardena, CA
- Arcadia, CA
- California state guide
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Los Angeles County earn?
The median is $90,112; 45% earn $100,000 or more and 20% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Los Angeles County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,954 a month; 58% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Los Angeles?
Yes, along with the other 141 Census places in Los Angeles County, such as Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Glendale.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Los Angeles County or elsewhere in California, the same rules apply.
Is there a Los Angeles County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In California it is the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.