Los Angeles neighborhood guide
El Monte
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in El Monte
Rent control: El Montehas no local rent-stabilization ordinance we track, so California's statewide cap (AB 1482) is the main protection. It limits annual increases on most buildings at least 15 years old, with exemptions. Verify a building's status before signing.
General information, not legal advice.
How El Monte scores for you
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El Monte is a city in the San Gabriel Valley, east of Los Angeles in Los Angeles County. It's a working-class community with a car-dependent layout, moderate walkability for errands, and straightforward suburban character. The city ranks in the lower half of Southern California areas for transit access and amenities, but sits roughly in the middle for traffic exposure and air quality.
Day-to-day life in El Monte centers on car travel. You'll find basic services like grocery stores, restaurants, and some cafes within a short distance, but public transit is minimal and not a realistic option for most commutes. The city itself is less dense than the regional average, giving it more of a spread-out feel compared to the closer-in San Gabriel Valley communities.
Living here
Living in El Monte means relying on a personal vehicle for nearly all trips. There's no Metro rail service, and bus coverage is sparse. While you can walk to some nearby shops and services, most errands and activities require driving. The neighborhood has modest foot traffic and a quieter, more residential atmosphere than denser parts of the region.
Air quality is a moderate concern; El Monte sits in the 74th percentile for particulate matter exposure, meaning it experiences more diesel PM pollution than most of Southern California, though it ranks better than several comparable cities. Traffic is slightly above the regional average, with a 64th percentile ranking. These conditions are typical for inner San Gabriel Valley communities, especially near major corridors.
Who it's for
El Monte suits renters who work locally or have reliable car access and prefer lower-key, suburban living. It's practical for families on a budget and those who don't need walkable nightlife or dense urban amenities. If you need robust transit, many walkable errands, or proximity to job centers in central Los Angeles, you'll likely find the commute and car dependency limiting.
Environment & livability
Air quality: moderate diesel PM exposure for California.
Above the state median, linked to mild long-term respiratory risk in some studies. Worth considering for sensitive households.
Traffic exposure: above-average traffic corridor exposure.
Higher traffic proximity correlates with elevated noise, diesel emissions, and reduced pedestrian comfort on nearby streets.
Tree cover: very limited tree cover, predominantly concrete.
Low canopy areas tend to run hotter and feel more exposed. Research links tree cover to lower ambient temperatures and improved pedestrian comfort.
Walkability: walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
A mixed walkability area. Good for quick trips on foot, but some destinations will require driving or transit.
Transit: minimal transit access, car strongly recommended.
Very infrequent or no meaningful transit nearby. Car dependency is high in this area.
Environmental data from CalEnviroScreen 4.0 and the EPA Smart Location Database. Informational only, not professional advice for a housing decision.
Who lives in El Monte
Population
84,281
Renters
63%
of households rent
Median age
37
Median income
$61k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in El Monte
23 public schools sit inside this area · 21 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baker Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 34% | 24% |
| Cherrylee Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 42% | 35% |
| Columbia Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 41% | 28% |
| Cortada Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 45% | 36% |
| Durfee Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 58% | 43% |
| Gidley Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 53% | 43% |
| La Primaria Elementary Elementary | K-3 | 15% | 23% |
| Legore Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 57% | 46% |
| Maxson Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 38% | 31% |
| New Lexington Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 50% | 53% |
| Parkview Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 35% | 17% |
| Rio Vista Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 49% | 44% |
| Shirpser Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 45% | 36% |
| Thompson Elementary Elementary | K-7 | — | — |
| Twin Lakes Elementary Elementary | 3-8 | 29% | 20% |
| Willard F. Payne Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 23% | 9% |
| Wright Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 45% | 35% |
| Arroyo High High School | 9-12 | 61% | 40% |
| El Monte High High School | 9-12 | 70% | 41% |
| El Monte Union High School Community Day High School | 9-12 | 0% | — |
| Fernando R. Ledesma Continuation High High School | 10-12 | 16% | 3% |
| Mountain View High High School | 9-12 | 46% | 11% |
| El Monte/Rosemead Adult Adult | No Data | — | — |
Source: California Dept. of Education (directory) and CAASPP Smarter Balanced, 2025. We publish these figures as the state reports them and show the same table for every neighborhood. Saktoo does not rate schools, and school data is never part of a neighborhood match score. Attendance boundaries change — confirm the assigned school with the district before relying on it.
Around El Monte
American Precast Concrete Inc. · Northgate Market · Superior Grocers
Basileia Café Theater · Fujiwara Tofu Cafe · Gotcha Teahouse · Starbucks
Baby Bros Pizza · Bill's Drive-In · BMC Pho Banh Mi Che Cali · Burger King
Arceo Park · Fletcher Park · Lambert Park · Mariposa Park
LA Fitness
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What the census says about El Monte
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe El Monte; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 32 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 77%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1967
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 20%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 3%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 88%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 58%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 13,983
- total housing units
Averaged across 29 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
El Monte in the regional index
How El Monte places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- The areas with no affordable escape from pollution
Ranks #20 of 262 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where home prices go furthest
Ranks #58 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where rent goes furthest
Ranks #69 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in El Monte
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Frequently asked questions
Is El Monte walkable for daily errands?+
Moderately. El Monte ranks 144th of 319 areas for walkability, slightly above the regional median. You can walk to some coffee shops, groceries, and parks, but most errands still require a car. It's walkable for some trips, not all.
What's the transit situation?+
There is no Metro rail service in El Monte, and bus coverage is minimal. Transit ranks 233rd of 319 areas. If you don't own a car or prefer public transportation, El Monte is not a practical choice.
How's the air quality and traffic?+
Air quality is moderate; El Monte ranks 258th of 318 areas for particulate matter (higher numbers mean more pollution), indicating above-average diesel PM exposure. Traffic ranks 164th of 317, slightly above regional average. Neither is ideal, but both are typical for the San Gabriel Valley.
What amenities are nearby?+
Within a short walk you'll find about 1-2 restaurants, 1 coffee shop, 1 grocery store, 1 gym, and 1 park. El Monte ranks 313th of 371 areas for amenity density, meaning options are limited compared to most Southern California neighborhoods. You'll need to drive for variety.
Is El Monte walkable?+
El Monte ranks #159 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in El Monte?+
Current residents of El Monte pay a median rent of about $1,676 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in El Monte?+
El Monte has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 67 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to El Monte?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to El Monte are Lennox, Wilmington, Florence-Graham and Vernon.