Is Whittier Safe, Pros and cons of living in Whittier

Whittier, a city nestled in Los Angeles County, California, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility. Its history is rooted in agriculture, particularly citrus groves, which have largely given way to residential development. The city is known for its commitment to preserving its historical charm while embracing modern growth.

The community is surrounded by several unincorporated areas that share its name, contributing to a broader regional identity. Whittier’s strategic location, approximately 15 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, influences its climate, providing warmer days and cooler nights compared to coastal cities. This positioning also contributes to its distinct weather patterns throughout the year.

Is it Safe to Live in Whittier?

Whittier’s crime rate is considered by some sources to be slightly higher than the national average, with an overall crime rate that is 35% higher than the national average. This translates to approximately 6.53 daily occurrences of crime, with a breakdown of 1.12 violent crimes and 5.41 property crimes. However, other analyses suggest that Whittier’s neighborhoods demonstrate a strong safety record, with some areas considered very safe and receiving an “A” grade for safety (as reported by AreaVibes and DoorProfit).

Your likelihood of being a victim of crime in Whittier can vary significantly by neighborhood. In the west parts of the city, the chance of being a victim is about 1 in 30, while in the eastern neighborhoods, it decreases to approximately 1 in 42 (as reported by DoorProfit and AreaVibes). The Whittier Police Department serves the city, and recent FBI data indicates that while property crime rates are above the national average, violent crime rates are below the national average (as reported by FBI Crime Data Explorer).

Housing Market and Cost of Living

The housing market in Whittier presents a competitive landscape, with a median listing home price of $839,000 (as reported by Realtor.com). As of March 2026, the average home value was $821,843, showing a slight increase of 0.7% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). Homes in Whittier tend to sell relatively quickly, with an average of 41 days on the market (as reported by Redfin).

Rent prices in Whittier are also a significant factor for those considering a move. The average rent for an apartment in Whittier is approximately $2,854 per month, which represents a slight decrease of 0.84% compared to the previous year (as reported by RentCafe). For context, the national average rent is around $1,910 per month, making Whittier’s rental market considerably higher (as reported by Zillow).

The overall cost of living in Whittier is notably higher than the national average. Whittier’s housing expenses are approximately 147% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). When considering expenses, transportation costs are also elevated, being 38% higher than the national average, and utility prices are 9% higher (as reported by Payscale).

Job Market and Economy

Whittier’s economy is supported by a diverse range of employers and a workforce that is largely employed in professional and administrative roles. The unemployment rate in Whittier was reported at 5.7% in 2026 (as reported by Data Commons). More recently, the employment rate in Whittier, CA, is stated as 95.38%, indicating a low unemployment rate (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org).

The median income in Whittier was $44,543 in 2024 (as reported by Data Commons). However, other sources indicate a median household income of $97,201 as of 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes and Los Angeles Almanac), and a median income of $93,773 (as reported by Livability.com). This disparity in median income figures may reflect different methodologies in data collection, such as individual versus household income.

While specific major employers are not detailed in the provided search results, the city’s economy is likely supported by sectors common to the Los Angeles metropolitan area, including healthcare, education, and retail. The City of Whittier itself is a significant employer, with an average annual salary of $85,559 for its employees (as reported by Salary.com).

Climate and Weather

Whittier experiences a Mediterranean climate, characterized by dry summers and mild, wet winters. The average annual rainfall is about 14 inches, with most precipitation occurring during the winter months (as reported by Wikipedia and Livability.com). Summers tend to be hot and arid, while winters are cooler and partly cloudy.

During the summer, high temperatures typically range from 84°F to 97°F, with overnight lows between 62°F and 70°F (as reported by Wikipedia). In winter, daytime highs are generally between 57°F and 72°F, and overnight lows range from 41°F to 50°F (as reported by Wikipedia). The hottest month is typically August, with average highs around 86°F and lows of 66°F (as reported by WorldWeatherOnline).

The rainy season generally spans from mid-October to late April, with February being the wettest month, receiving an average of 3.2 inches of rain (as reported by WorldWeatherOnline). Conversely, the period from late April to mid-October is largely rain-free, with July typically seeing no rainfall (as reported by WorldWeatherOnline).

Education and Schools

Whittier is served by multiple school districts, including the Whittier City Elementary School District and the Los Angeles County R-1 School District. Public schools in Whittier have an average ranking of 7 out of 10, placing them in the top 50% of California public schools (as reported by Niche). Math proficiency scores average 38%, and reading proficiency scores average 50%, both slightly above the California state averages (as reported by Niche).

The Whittier City Elementary School District has a student-teacher ratio of 22 to 1, with 35% of students proficient in math and 47% proficient in reading, according to state test scores (as reported by Niche). Some of the highest-ranked public schools in Whittier include Murphy Ranch Elementary School, Ocean View Elementary School, and Leffingwell Elementary School (as reported by Niche).

For higher education, Whittier College is a notable institution within the city. The city’s educational landscape is diverse, with a significant minority enrollment in its public schools, exceeding the California state average (as reported by Niche).

Demographics and Population

Whittier has a population of approximately 84,556 as of 2026, with a slight annual decline rate (as reported by World Population Review). The city’s population is diverse, with the largest racial or ethnic group being Hispanic or Latino, accounting for 67.1% of residents (as reported by Data USA and Point2Homes). White residents make up about 22.2% of the population, followed by Asian residents at approximately 5.2% (as reported by Point2Homes).

The median age in Whittier is 38.4 years (as reported by Data Commons and World Population Review). The population consists of roughly 52% females and 48% males (as reported by Niche). A significant portion of the population, around 17.5% as of 2024, was born outside of the country (as reported by Data USA).

Citizenship rates in Whittier are high, with 94% of residents being US citizens (as reported by Data USA). The median household income is reported as $97,201 (as reported by Point2Homes), with a poverty rate of 9.07% (as reported by World Population Review). Whittier is ranked among the more expensive cities in California for cost of living, with expenses being 40% higher than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com).