Moving to
Whittier.

$1,906/mo median rent

Rent runs on the higher side, at $1,906 a month median. Whether that premium makes sense usually comes down to the local job market and what it pays. Home prices are steep, with a median around $822,600. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.

5.6% unemployment

Unemployment here is 5.6%, somewhat above the national average of 4.3%. Lining up work before the move is the safer route.

395 violent crimes per 100k

Crime runs about typical for a city this size. Some neighborhoods are safer than others, and one overall rate doesn't tell the whole story, so a neighborhood-level look matters more than the headline stat.

33 min average commute

Traffic is a real factor here. The 33.2 minute average means plenty of commuters are pushing 45 to 60 minutes on a bad day. Proximity to work matters more here than it might elsewhere. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 12% work from home.

2 hospitals

There are 2 Medicare-certified hospitals inside city limits. They average 4.0 out of 5 on Medicare's star rating.

30% bachelor's degree or higher

College degree attainment runs below average at 30%. That tends to reflect a more trade and working-class economy, which can be great or limiting depending on the industry.

18 public schools inside the boundary

There are 18 public schools inside the boundary and 8 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 24:1, above the national average of 16:1.

The nearest national park or historic site is Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (44 miles away). There are 4 national parks and sites within a day's drive.