Is Rowland Heights Safe, Pros and cons of living in Rowland Heights

Rowland Heights, an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, California, offers a blend of suburban living with access to urban amenities. Its location provides residents with a balance of residential comfort and proximity to major employment centers and recreational opportunities. The community is characterized by its diverse population and a housing market that reflects the broader trends of Southern California.

The area is known for its well-regarded school district and a variety of family-friendly activities, making it an attractive option for those seeking a stable community environment. Rowland Heights presents a unique lifestyle that appeals to a wide range of residents, from young families to established professionals.

Is it Safe to Live in Rowland Heights?

Rowland Heights experiences a crime rate that is higher than the national average, with 15 crimes per one thousand residents (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Rowland Heights is 1 in 68 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Based on FBI crime data, Rowland Heights is not considered one of the safest communities in America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

When compared to California cities of similar size, Rowland Heights’s crime rate is near the average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). However, its crime rate is higher than 52% of California’s cities and towns (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Property crime, including motor vehicle theft, larceny, and burglary, occurs at a rate of 11 per one thousand population (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Violent crime, such as armed robbery, aggravated assault, rape, or murder, occurs at a rate of 3 per one thousand inhabitants (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Climate and Weather

Rowland Heights experiences a Mediterranean climate, defined by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters (as reported by Weatherly Widgets). Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from the mid-40s to mid-60s°F in winter and the upper 60s to mid-80s°F in summer (as reported by Weatherly Widgets). The area receives approximately 15-18 inches of annual rainfall, with most precipitation occurring between November and March (as reported by Weatherly Widgets).

The hot season lasts for about three months, from late June to late September, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 84°F (as reported by the weather information). August is the hottest month, with average highs around 88°F and lows of 65°F. Conversely, the cool season spans nearly four months, from late November to late March, with average daily high temperatures below 71°F. December is the coldest month, with average lows of 45°F and highs of 67°F (as reported by the weather information).

Demographics and Population

Rowland Heights is home to approximately 45,911 residents, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data (as reported by Point2Homes). The population is diverse, with the largest racial/ethnic groups being Asian (60.8%), followed by Hispanic (29.5%), and White (6.3%) (as reported by Census Dots). The median age in Rowland Heights is 46.9 years (as reported by World Population Review).

Regarding household income, the average annual household income in Rowland Heights was $119,555 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes). The median income for households in Rowland Heights was $85,617 in 2024 (as reported by Census Dots). Approximately 10.0% of families in Rowland Heights live below the poverty line (as reported by Census Dots).

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Rowland Heights is 51% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Housing expenses are particularly high, being 128% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). The median home price in Rowland Heights is $996,747 as of March 2026 (as reported by Zillow).

Monthly expenses for a single person in Rowland Heights are estimated at $2,765, and for a family of four, they are around $5,989 (as reported by Salary.com). These figures include housing, food, energy, transportation, and healthcare costs, which are generally higher than the national average (as reported by Salary.com). The median rent for an apartment in Rowland Heights is $2,249 per month (as reported by RentCafe).

Housing Market

The housing market in Rowland Heights is characterized by a median listing price of $1.15 million (as reported by Realtor.com®). Homes for sale typically spend a median of 48 days on the market, indicating a warm market condition (as reported by Realtor.com®). The median sale price of a home in Rowland Heights was $1.2 million in March 2026, an increase of 30.5% from the previous year (as reported by Redfin).

The average home value in Rowland Heights is $996,747 as of March 31, 2026, showing a slight decrease of 0.2% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). The rental market also shows activity, with the median rent standing at $4,000 per month (as reported by Realtor.com®). However, other sources indicate a median rent of $2,703 as of March 31, 2026 (as reported by Zillow), and an average rent of $3,500 (as reported by Zillow Rentals data).

Job Market and Employment

The average annual salary in Rowland Heights is approximately $52,000, or about $25.00 per hour (as reported by Zippia). However, other sources cite the average annual salary as $43,240, or $20.79 per hour, as of April 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The minimum wage rate in Rowland Heights is $13 per hour, which is higher than the federal minimum wage (as reported by Zippia).

Major employment sectors for residents include Healthcare & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Manufacturing (as reported by Data USA). Information on specific major employers is not readily available from the provided search results, though general search functionalities on platforms like LinkedIn can offer insights into local employment landscapes (as reported by Reddit).

Education and Schools

Rowland Heights is served by the Rowland Unified School District, which has an overall Niche grade of A- (as reported by Niche). The district serves approximately 11,623 students in grades K-12, with a student-teacher ratio of 22 to 1 (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that 33% of students are proficient in math and 49% in reading (as reported by Niche).

Within the community, individual schools also receive ratings. For instance, John A. Rowland High School has an overall Niche grade of A, serving students in grades 9-12 (as reported by Niche). Rowland Elementary School, serving grades K-6, has an overall Niche grade of C+ (as reported by Niche).

Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate for California was 5.4% in February 2026 (as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics). Specific unemployment data for Rowland Heights is not directly available in the provided search results, but this state-level figure offers a general economic context for the region (as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics).

The Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program produces monthly and annual employment and unemployment data for various geographic areas, including states and metropolitan areas (as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics). While detailed local data for Rowland Heights is not explicitly listed, the broader state and regional figures provide an indication of the labor market conditions (as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics).