El Monte CA vs Philadelphia PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
El Monte, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$768,251
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Monte
107,066
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Monte
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
El Monte
38.1
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
El Monte
49.7%
El Monte +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
El Monte
13.7%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
El Monte
0.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
El Monte
29.3%
El Monte +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
El Monte
65.1%
El Monte +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
El Monte
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 14.6% | El Monte + |
| White | 13.7% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 0.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 7.8% | El Monte + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 15.2% | El Monte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Monte
$64,484
El Monte +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
El Monte
$24,356
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Monte
$77,230
El Monte +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
El Monte
6.4%
El Monte +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
El Monte
17.2%
El Monte +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Monte
14.7%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $60,698 | El Monte + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | El Monte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 8.4% | El Monte + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 22.0% | El Monte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Monte
$768,251
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
El Monte
40.1%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $768,251 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Monte
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Monte
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Monte
26.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Monte
15.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Monte
17.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Monte
18.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Monte
12.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Monte
13.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Monte
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Monte
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Monte
7.9 µg/m³
El Monte +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Monte
75.0%
El Monte +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | El Monte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | El Monte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Monte
31.6 min
El Monte +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 34.5 min | El Monte + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Monte leads in median household income at $64,484, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in El Monte. El Monte has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and El Monte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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