Is Bell Safe, Pros and cons of living in Bell

Here’s an article about living in Bell, California:

Bell, California, a city nestled southeast of downtown Los Angeles, presents a unique living experience characterized by a blend of affordability and urban accessibility. The city, covering a modest 2.5 square miles, is one of the smallest incorporated cities in the United States with a population of at least 25,000. This compact size contributes to its distinct community feel, offering residents a close-knit environment within the vast Los Angeles metropolitan area.

The demographic profile of Bell is notably diverse, with a significant Hispanic population. This vibrant cultural tapestry influences the city’s character, offering a rich array of local businesses and community events. Bell’s proximity to major employment centers in Los Angeles also enhances its appeal, providing convenient access to job opportunities for its residents.

Is it Safe to Live in Bell?

The overall crime rate in Bell is reported to be lower than the national average by approximately 18% (according to AreaVibes). However, a closer look reveals that violent crimes in Bell are statistically higher than the national average. Specifically, Bell experiences about 584 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 62.5% above the national rate (as reported by AreaVibes).

Conversely, property crime rates in Bell are lower than the national average, with 1161 incidents per 100,000 people, marking a 34% decrease compared to the national figure (according to AreaVibes). Despite the lower property crime rate, the higher incidence of violent crime means that the chance of becoming a victim of any crime in Bell is about 1 in 58 (as reported by AreaVibes).

NeighborhoodScout’s analysis indicates that Bell is not considered one of the safest communities in America. Its crime rate is higher than that of 61% of California’s cities and towns. Furthermore, Bell has one of the nation’s higher rates of motor vehicle theft, according to an analysis of FBI crime data (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Housing Costs and Rental Market

Bell’s housing market offers a notable contrast to the broader Los Angeles County, presenting a more affordable entry point for homeowners. The median home value in Bell is approximately $551,700, which is significantly more affordable than many other areas within Los Angeles County (as reported by Kurby AI). This median home value is also considerably higher than the national average of $281,900 (as reported by Kurby AI).

When it comes to renting, the market in Bell shows some variability in reported averages. One source indicates an average rent of $2,500 per month, with a year-over-year increase of $100 (as reported by realtor.com®). Another source states the average rent is $1,972, which is 1% higher than the national average (as reported by Zumper).

Apartment rental prices vary by size, with studios averaging around $1,600 per month and one-bedroom apartments around $1,950 (as reported by Zumper). Two-bedroom apartments are listed at an average of $2,550, while three-bedroom units can command around $3,050 or more per month (as reported by Zumper). It is important to note that some sources suggest a lower average rent of $1,283 per month, which is 22% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com).

Cost of Living and Affordability

The overall cost of living in Bell is higher than the national average. Bell’s cost of living index stands at 145, indicating expenses are 45% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This figure is also slightly higher than the California state average, with the cost of living in Bell being 1% higher than the state’s average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Housing expenses are a significant contributor to the higher cost of living, with Bell’s housing costs being 56% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Utility prices are also above the national average, by approximately 9% (as reported by Payscale). Transportation expenses, including gas prices and bus fares, are notably higher, at 38% above the national average (as reported by Payscale).

Grocery prices in Bell are also elevated, being 9% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). While healthcare costs are slightly lower than the national average by about 4% (as reported by Payscale), the overall higher expenses in other categories contribute to Bell’s overall cost of living being higher.

Job Market and Average Salary

Bell’s job market shows signs of growth, with employment increasing by 1.97% from the previous year, bringing the total number of employed residents to approximately 14,406 (as reported by Data USA). The most common industries for residents include manufacturing, retail trade, and healthcare and social assistance (as reported by Data USA).

The average annual salary in Bell is reported to be around $56,784, which equates to approximately $27.30 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, other sources indicate a higher average yearly salary of $61,228 (as reported by ReadySetHire), and one source even suggests an average employment salary of $91,647 per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Bell was reported as $61,020 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA), which is lower than the national average median household income of $74,580 (as reported by Kurby AI).

The unemployment rate in Bell was 5.70%, which is lower than its long-term average of 10.15% (as reported by YCharts). This rate is also comparable to the statewide unemployment rate in California, which was 5.4% in February 2026 (as reported by USAFacts).

Major Employers

Several companies are significant employers within the Bell area. Among them are FAM Brands, known for its sportswear and activewear, and NDK Foods Inc. Zoo Printing is also listed as a major employer (as reported by Zippia).

Athens Services, an environmental services company providing waste collection and recycling, is another key employer. Liberty Tax Service, a prominent tax preparation franchise, also has a presence. El Aviso Magazine, involved in the wholesale distribution of periodicals, contributes to the local job market (as reported by Zippia).

Larger corporations like Walmart, McDonald’s, FedEx, Target, UPS, Kroger, Starbucks, United States Postal Service, and Dollar Tree also have a presence in or near Bell, offering a wide range of employment opportunities (as reported by Indeed.com).

Climate and Weather

Bell, California, experiences a climate characterized by warm, arid summers and cool, wet winters. Throughout the year, temperatures generally range between 48°F and 84°F, rarely dropping below 41°F or exceeding 92°F (as reported by Time and Date). The warmest month is typically August, with average highs around 83°F and lows of 66°F.

Winters are cooler, with December being the coldest month, averaging a low of 48°F and a high of 67°F (as reported by Time and Date). Rainfall is concentrated in the cooler months, with a wetter season lasting from November to March. February is the wettest month, averaging about 5.5 days with precipitation (as reported by Time and Date).

The annual precipitation in Bell averages around 9.99 inches (as reported by IDcide). Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, though July sees very little precipitation, averaging only about 0.1 days with rain (as reported by Time and Date).

School Ratings and Education

Bell is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District, one of the largest school districts in the United States. The district offers a variety of educational programs, including early childhood education, magnet programs, and special education services (as reported by Los Angeles Unified School District). Information regarding specific school ratings within Bell itself is not readily available from the provided search results.

Niche.com provides rankings for public elementary schools, but specific data for schools within Bell was not detailed in the search results. However, the ranking methodology is based on state test scores, student-teacher ratios, and parent/student reviews (as reported by Niche).

For those seeking higher education or specialized programs, the broader Los Angeles area offers numerous colleges and universities. These institutions provide a wide range of academic disciplines and professional development opportunities for residents.

Demographics

Bell has an estimated population of 32,476 residents as of 2024 (as reported by Data USA). The city’s population has seen a slight decline, with a projected population of 31,309 for 2026 (as reported by Data USA). The population density is quite high due to the city’s small geographical area.

The racial and ethnic makeup of Bell is predominantly Hispanic, accounting for approximately 89.4% of the population (as reported by Census Dots). Other racial groups include White (6.9%), Black (1.8%), and Asian (1.0%) (as reported by Census Dots). This demographic composition makes Bell significantly more Hispanic than the state of California overall.

The median age in Bell is 34.3 years (as reported by World Population Review). Citizenship in Bell is lower than the national average, with about 73.6% of residents being citizens (as reported by Data USA). Additionally, a significant portion of the population, around 42.4%, was born outside the United States (as reported by Data USA).