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Living in
Palos Verdes Estates.
The Census tops out at $2,000,000+ for home value; it doesn't publish exact figures above that.
About
Life in Palos Verdes Estates
Palos Verdes Estates is a community of 13,047 people in California. The median household income is $242,014, median rent runs about $3,217 per month, and median home values are around $2,000,001. The unemployment rate is 5.8%.
Palos Verdes Estates at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
52.4 yrs
Poverty Rate
2.9%
Foreign-Born
20.4%
Broadband Internet
95.3%
of households
Population Growth
-5.9%
recent change · Census Bureau
Median household income
Demographics20.4% foreign-born, most often from Taiwan
Who lives in Palos Verdes Estates: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In Palos Verdes Estates, the largest foreign-born group is from Taiwan (18.3%), and 7.9% of residents speak Other Asian/Pacific at home.
Under 18
24.1%
of residents
65 and Older
27.2%
of residents
Households with Kids
29.9%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
18.9%
of households
Married Couples
67.3%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.61
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent 58% above CA average
Rent, home values, and income in Palos Verdes Estates
In Palos Verdes Estates, rent runs 58% above the CA average, and home values are 172% above the CA average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
67.3%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
39.8%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
113.6
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Homeowners
89.7%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1964
median year built
Vacant Homes
7.9%
of housing units
Home Value Trend
Latest: $2,737,387 (September 2026)
Jobs & Economyunemployment about average for CA
Unemployment in Palos Verdes Estates and typical pay across the metro area
Unemployment in Los Angeles County, which includes Palos Verdes Estates, is close to the CA average.
Unemployment rate
Palos Verdes Estates: Los Angeles County rate (county-wide) · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
Los Angeles County (county-wide) · Annual averages
Palos Verdes Estates is less than 1% of Los Angeles County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
What Palos Verdes Estates Residents Do for Work · share of employed residents by industry
City residents, wherever they work
Median Salary by Occupation · metro area
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area
Commute31.9 min avg
How Palos Verdes Estates residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In Palos Verdes Estates, most residents drive alone to work (70%), and 48% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 10 mi
Jack Northrop Field Hawthorne Municipal Airport (HHR)
Regional airport · few flights6,315 passengers boarded in 2025
- 11 mi
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Major hub36.5M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 90% below national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in Palos Verdes Estates runs 90% below the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
32
per 100,000 residents
Below average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
775.3
per 100,000 residents
Below average (1,552 national, 2025)
Palos Verdes Estates Police Department
Natural DisastersHigh Wind most common — 21 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Very High
100.0 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
Los Angeles County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In Los Angeles County, which includes Palos Verdes Estates, the most common type is high wind, with 21 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 21 | High Wind | $3,000 |
| 2024 | 27 | High Wind | $5,000 |
| 2023 | 21 | High Wind | None reported |
| 2022 | 7 | High Wind | None reported |
| 2021 | 5 | High Wind | None reported |
| 2020 | 4 | High Wind | None reported |
| 2019 | 2 | Wildfire | None reported |
| 2018 | 3 | Debris Flow | None reported |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
113 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
Los Angeles County, county-wide
Palos Verdes Estates is less than 1% of Los Angeles County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Air Quality74 median AQI — Moderate
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in Los Angeles County, which includes Palos Verdes Estates, is typically moderate — acceptable for most people, but can affect those unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Median AQI
74
Good Days
39
per year
Moderate Days
228
per year
Unhealthy Days
32
per year
Los Angeles County, county-wide
Palos Verdes Estates is less than 1% of Los Angeles County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Climate75°F summers, 47°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
Palos Verdes Estates has mild summers (avg high 75°F) and warm winters (avg low 47°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
68°/52°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
75°/61°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
74°/57°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
66°/47°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
12.3"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"
Hot Days/Year
4
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
0
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
28
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 67°F | 47°F | 2.97" |
| Feb | 66°F | 48°F | 3.69" |
| Mar | 66°F | 50°F | 2.24" |
| Apr | 68°F | 52°F | 0.62" |
| May | 70°F | 56°F | 0.32" |
| Jun | 72°F | 58°F | 0.09" |
| Jul | 76°F | 62°F | 0.05" |
| Aug | 77°F | 63°F | 0.01" |
| Sep | 76°F | 62°F | 0.12" |
| Oct | 74°F | 57°F | 0.52" |
| Nov | 71°F | 51°F | 0.77" |
| Dec | 66°F | 47°F | 2.36" |
Healthcare
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in Palos Verdes Estates
Uninsured
1.0%
of residents
No hospitals inside Palos Verdes Estates's limits — nearest hospitals · within 15 miles
Del Amo Hospital
Psychiatric · ER available · 5.6 mi away · Torrance
Torrance Memorial Medical Center
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 5.7 mi away · Torrance
Providence Little Company of Mary Med Ctr Torrance
Acute Care Hospitals · 6 mi away · Torrance
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education22.3:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in Palos Verdes Estates
Palos Verdes Estates's student/teacher ratio is 22.3:1 (higher than the national average of 16:1), and 79.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
5
within city limits
Private Schools
0
within city limits
College Degree Rate
79.6%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
22.3:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges Near Palos Verdes Estates (within 15 miles)
California State University-Dominguez Hills
11.8 mi awayPublic · 4-year · 12,538 students · in-state tuition $7,853 · 68% graduate · median earnings $62,587 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 7,094 students · in-state tuition $65,857 · 82% graduate · median earnings $86,034 (10 yrs after entry)
Public · 2-year · 6,694 students · in-state tuition $1,238 · 23% graduate · median earnings $47,368 (10 yrs after entry)
Public · 2-year · 3,142 students · in-state tuition $1,142 · 19% graduate · median earnings $41,664 (10 yrs after entry)
Otis College of Art and Design
12 mi awayPrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 1,223 students · in-state tuition $58,143 · 65% graduate · median earnings $70,469 (10 yrs after entry)
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science
14.9 mi awayPrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 282 students · in-state tuition $23,407 · 68% graduate · median earnings $79,596 (10 yrs after entry)
Degree-granting colleges with 100+ students, placed by campus location (main campuses only — branch campuses are reported under their parent school)
Parks & Recreationclosest: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, 29 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for Palos Verdes Estates
Palos Verdes Estates has 4 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (29 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
29 mi awayJuan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
National Historic Trail
70 mi awayChannel Islands National Park
National Park
86 mi awayCésar E. Chávez National Monument
National Monument
100 mi awayPublic Libraries in Palos Verdes Estates
Malaga Cove Library
2400 Via Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates
Cities Near Palos Verdes Estates
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to Palos Verdes Estates?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
Palos Verdes Estates FAQ
Is Palos Verdes Estates, California affordable?⌄
Palos Verdes Estates's median rent is $3,217/month, which is significantly above the national average. The median household income is $242,014/year. Median home value is $2,000,000+.
Is Palos Verdes Estates, California safe?⌄
Palos Verdes Estates's violent crime rate was 32 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is well below the national average — one of the safer cities in the country of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 775 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in Palos Verdes Estates, California?⌄
Los Angeles County, which includes Palos Verdes Estates, has an unemployment rate of 5.7%, which is slightly above the national average of 4.3%.
What is the cost of living in Palos Verdes Estates, California?⌄
The cost of living in Palos Verdes Estates is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $3,217/month and median household income is $242,014/year. The median home value is $2,000,000+. About 67% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in Palos Verdes Estates, California?⌄
The average commute in Palos Verdes Estates is 32 minutes, which is longer than average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from