Is Montebello Safe, Pros and cons of living in Montebello
Montebello, California, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility, nestled within Los Angeles County. This city, with a rich history tied to oil reserves and a vibrant cultural tapestry, presents a unique living experience. Its strategic location provides residents with convenient access to the wider Southern California region.
The city’s development from its early days as an agricultural area to a hub of industry and commerce is a testament to its evolving character. Montebello’s community is known for its strong cultural identity, largely shaped by its significant Hispanic and Armenian populations. This diversity contributes to the city’s dynamic atmosphere and rich heritage.
Is it Safe to Live in Montebello?
Montebello’s overall crime rate is higher than the national average, with a total crime rate that is 47% higher per 100,000 residents (according to AreaVibes). The city experiences an average of 5.04 daily crimes, including 0.8 violent incidents and 4.24 property-related offenses (according to AreaVibes). This suggests that while Montebello is safer than only 13% of U.S. cities, crime rates have remained stable year over year (according to AreaVibes).
Violent crime statistics show an assault rate of 334.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 282.7 (according to Niche). Murder rates are 3.4 per 100,000, lower than the national average of 6.1 (according to Niche). Rape rates are 23.6 per 100,000, below the national rate of 40.7 (according to Niche), and robbery rates stand at 133.4, slightly below the national average of 135.5 (according to Niche).
Property crime rates in Montebello are also a consideration, with a burglary rate of 312.3 per 100,000 residents (according to Niche). Motor vehicle theft is a notable concern, with Montebello having one of the highest rates in the nation (according to NeighborhoodScout). Your chance of becoming a victim of any crime in Montebello is about 1 in 33 (according to AreaVibes).
Cost of Living in Montebello
The cost of living in Montebello, California, is notably higher than the national average. Overall, Montebello’s cost of living is 46% higher than the national average (according to Payscale). This is largely driven by housing expenses, which are 105% higher than the national average (according to Payscale).
Utility prices in Montebello are 9% higher than the national average (according to Payscale). Transportation expenses, including bus fares and gas prices, are 38% higher than the national average (according to Payscale). Grocery prices are also 9% higher than the national average (according to Payscale).
The median home price in Montebello is approximately $844.5K (according to Redfin). For renters, the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types is around $2,300 as of May 2026 (according to Zillow). This median rent is 21% higher than the national average (according to Zillow).
Job Market and Economy
Montebello’s economy is supported by a diverse range of industries. The leading sectors in 2024 included Manufacturing, Retail, Education, and Health Care and Social Services (according to ZoomProspector). Manufacturing alone employed 3,061 individuals across 156 establishments (according to ZoomProspector).
The median household income in Montebello was reported as $79,971 in 2024 (according to Data USA). This figure is 13% higher than the national average (according to AreaVibes). The unemployment rate in Montebello is currently aligned with the national average (according to AreaVibes). As of 2026, the unemployment rate was 5.6% (according to Data USA).
Major employers in the area include Kaiser Permanente, Montebello Unified School District, and Monarch Litho (according to Wikipedia). Kaiser Permanente is a significant healthcare provider, and the Montebello Unified School District is a substantial employer within the education sector.
Climate and Weather
Montebello experiences a climate characterized by warm summers and mild winters. Temperatures typically range from 46°F in December to 88°F in August throughout the year (according to myPerfectWeather). The city enjoys a significant amount of sunshine, with approximately 3,415.1 hours of sunshine annually (according to myPerfectWeather).
Annual precipitation averages around 15 inches (according to myPerfectWeather). The wettest month is typically December, with an average of 4 inches of rainfall, spread over about 8 rainy days (according to myPerfectWeather). Conversely, June is much drier, with minimal rainfall over zero rainy days (according to myPerfectWeather).
The climate offers many comfortable weather days, with an estimated 325 days per year falling within a pleasant temperature and humidity range (according to myPerfectWeather). This makes Montebello an appealing location for outdoor activities for a large portion of the year.
Education in Montebello
The Montebello Unified School District serves the city’s student population, comprising 29 schools with approximately 19,967 students (according to Niche). The student-teacher ratio within the district is 18:1, which is lower than the state average (according to Niche).
However, public schools in Montebello show lower proficiency scores compared to state averages. The average math proficiency score is 18%, and the reading proficiency score is 35% (according to Niche). This places Montebello’s public schools in the bottom 50% of California public schools based on their average ranking of 3/10 (according to Niche).
Minority enrollment is high, at 100% of the student body, predominantly Hispanic, which is more than the California public school average (according to Niche). Top-ranked schools within the district include Montebello Community Day, Washington Elementary School, and Applied Technology Center (according to Niche).
Demographics of Montebello
Montebello’s population was estimated at 60,617 in July 2024 (according to Data USA). The city’s demographics are notably diverse, with a significant Hispanic or Latino population making up approximately 76.3% of residents (according to Data USA). Other significant ethnic groups include Asian residents at 14% and White residents at 6.9% (according to Data USA).
A substantial portion of Montebello’s residents were born outside the country, with 35.6% of residents being foreign-born as of 2024 (according to Data USA). This contributes to the city’s multicultural fabric, with Spanish and Chinese being common spoken non-English languages (according to Wikipedia).
The median age in Montebello is 40.1 years (according to Data USA). The population is relatively balanced between genders, with a slight majority of females. The population has seen a slight decline, with a projected population of 60,385 for 2026 (according to Data USA).