Moving to Whittier, CA — Cost, Timing, Best-For

What to know before you move: cost, market timing, who it fits.

62
Momentum score
$825,033
Median home value
+1.0%
Home YoY
85,589
Population

If you're considering a move to Whittier, CA, the most important variables are the local housing market, the cost structure (taxes, insurance, utilities), and how well the city fits your day-to-day life. This page summarizes the housing market read; pair it with the cost of living page for the full picture.

Whittier is a city in Los Angeles County, California, with an estimated population of 85,589. It anchors the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area. The median home value in Whittier is $825,033 as of 2026-04, up 1.0% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +4.5% annual growth, with prices at or near the 5-year peak. Rents in Whittier average $2,326 per month, up 3.1% year-over-year. The composite momentum score is 62 of 100 (Rising). The market is healthy with prices supported by underlying demand.

Quiet strength: prices near or at all-time highs (-1.0% from 5-year peak). Solid market for owner-occupiers; investors should underwrite conservatively given the elevated entry point.

Reasons people move here

  • Held the highs: currently -1.0% from the 5-year peak — this market refused to give back gains.
  • The data is the data: Whittier has at least 5 years of Zillow tracking, full Census identification, and is included in the 2-criteria momentum score on this page.

Things to know first

  • Expensive AND not growing: median home $825,033 with only +1.0% YoY. You're paying premium pricing for a flat trend.
  • Flat or shrinking population: -0.5% per year. Housing demand has to come from somewhere — verify the source.

More about Whittier

Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.