Living in Whittier, CA offers a suburban lifestyle with a deep sense of history and community. Known for its tree-lined streets and historic homes, Whittier is a charming city that blends the old with the new. The city’s Uptown Whittier area is a hub of activity, featuring a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues set against a backdrop of beautifully preserved architecture.
Whittier’s dining scene is diverse, offering a range of options from farm-to-table restaurants to cozy cafes. The city’s Greenleaf Avenue is a popular spot for dining and shopping, with a mix of local boutiques and eateries. The annual Whittier Uptown Association Car Show is a highlight, attracting car enthusiasts from all over Southern California for a day of classic cars, live music, and family-friendly activities.
For those who enjoy the outdoors, Whittier offers plenty of green spaces and recreational opportunities. The Whittier Narrows Recreation Area provides a wide range of activities, including hiking, biking, and fishing, while the Hellman Park Trail offers scenic views of the city and surrounding hills. The city’s parks, including Penn Park and Palm Park, are perfect for picnics, sports, and community events.
Whittier is also known for its strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Whittier Holiday Parade and the Summer Concerts in the Park, which bring residents together for fun and fellowship. The local schools are highly regarded, making Whittier an attractive place for families.
For those considering a move to Southern California, Whittier offers a unique blend of historical charm, community spirit, and modern amenities. Whether you're drawn by its historic downtown, outdoor activities, or welcoming atmosphere, living in Whittier, CA provides a fulfilling and enjoyable lifestyle.
Employment
With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Cost Of Living
This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Health & Safety
Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.
Whittier, California is a mid-sized city with a population of 86,613 residents. Whittier has a population density of 5,913 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Whittier identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 33% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Whittier entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 34 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Whittier, California. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, health & safety, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Whittier and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Whittier to California and the national average.
Using data and statistics Whittier has received a livability score of 52 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 15th percentile when compared to all other cities. This is a lower than the US average livability score as Whittier does not rank well for most categories. For each of the livability categories, we see that Whittier ranks very well for employment (A). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Whittier. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (F), crime (F) and cost of living (F).
Assuming that Whittier meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Whittier. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Whittier are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Whittier come in at $1,085,298, which is 48.3% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Whittier, the home price to income ratio is 9.5, which is 23.4% higher than the California average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Whittier | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 34min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.7% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.0% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.7% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.5% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.9% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in California
Most Dangerous States In The US
Safest Cities In The US
See the best places to live in Whittier