Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Bell, CA
Thinking of moving to Bell, CA? Home to about 33,410 residents, Bell offers affordable rents averaging $1,420 and a median home price of $565,000. The city features a warm, sunny Southern California climate with 73% sunny days, and a diverse, primarily Hispanic community. While Bell has a higher property crime rate than average, it provides convenient commute times around 32 minutes and access to local schools and nearby colleges. Explore more on cost of living, housing, education, and local amenities below to see if Bell is the right fit for you.
Demographics - Bell, CA
Bell, CA is a densely populated city of about 33,410 residents, with a youthful median age of 32.1 years. The community is predominantly Hispanic or Latino, creating a rich cultural environment where over 86% of residents speak a language other than English at home. This diversity offers newcomers a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere.
Population:
33,410
Density:
13,600 per sq mi
Median Age:
32.1
Gender Ratio:
97 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
86.2%

Ethnic Composition
White:
4.7%
Black:
0.7%
Asian:
0.7%
Others:
93.9% (primarily Hispanic/Latino)
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Bell, CA?
Living in Bell comes with a relatively high cost of living index at 143.9, driven mainly by housing costs with a median home value of $565,000 and average rent around $1,420. Utilities and groceries are moderately priced, and state taxes range from 1% to 13.3%, which is typical for California. Prospective residents should budget accordingly for housing and transportation expenses.
Median House Value:
$565,000
Gross Rent:
$1,420
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$110
Auto Insurance:
$1,950
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$2,250
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$560
State Taxes:
Low:
1%
|
High:
13.3%
Cost Of Living Index:
143.9
Grocery:
112.0
Housing:
187.6
Utilities:
102.3
Transportation:
137.2
Health Care:
110.2
Miscellaneous:
108.5
Crime
Is Bell, CA a safe place to live?
Bell experiences a property crime rate of 2,120 incidents per 100,000 people and a violent crime rate of 470 per 100,000, which are above national averages. Residents have about a 1 in 213 chance of experiencing violent crime and a 1 in 47 chance of property crime. While safety is a consideration, many residents find the community welcoming and active.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
470
Property Crimes Per 100k:
2,120
Crime Index:
2,590
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 213
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 47
Weather
What is the weather like in Bell, CA year-round?
Bell enjoys a classic Southern California climate with mild winters averaging 46°F to 68°F and warm summers peaking around 89°F. The city sees about 73% sunny days and receives roughly 15.5 inches of annual rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round. Seasonal changes are gentle, providing comfortable living for most of the year.

Winter
Min:
46°F
Max:
68°F

Spring
Min:
53°F
Max:
76°F

Summer
Min:
66°F
Max:
89°F

Fall
Min:
58°F
Max:
77°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
15.5 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
73%
Neighbors
The median household income in Bell is $52,935, with about 22% of residents living below the poverty line. The neighborhood is working-class and family-oriented, with most residents commuting an average of 32 minutes and a small percentage using public transit. Educational attainment is modest, with just over half of adults holding at least a high school diploma.
Median Income:
$23,850
Household Income:
$52,935
Family Income:
$54,700
Per Capita Income:
$15,500
Income Male:
$31,000
Income Female:
$26,000
Poverty Rate:
22.1%
Non English Speakers:
86.2%
Rent:
$1,420
Unemployment Rate:
6.8%
Public Transport Usage:
6.5%
Commute Time:
31.7 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
56.7%
Bachelors or More:
7.1%
Education
How are the schools in Bell, CA?
Bell offers a range of public and private schools, including Bell High School and Nimitz Middle School, as well as access to colleges like East Los Angeles College just 4 miles away. Class sizes are moderate, with student-teacher ratios around 23:1 in public schools. Families benefit from proximity to both K-12 education and higher learning institutions.

Public Schools
Name:
Bell High School
Street:
4328 Bell Ave
Phone:
323-832-4700
Students:
2,554
Student Teacher Ratio:
22.8
Name:
Nimitz Middle School
Street:
6021 Carmelita Ave
Phone:
323-887-5237
Students:
1,200
Student Teacher Ratio:
23.5
Name:
Corona Avenue Elementary
Street:
3737 Corona Ave
Phone:
323-560-4423
Students:
650
Student Teacher Ratio:
23.1

Private Schools
Name:
St. Bellarmine-Jefferson School
Street:
4651 Heliotrope Ave
Phone:
323-562-3211
Students:
215

Colleges
Name:
East Los Angeles College
City:
Monterey Park
State:
CA
Distance:
4 miles
Students:
34,000
Name:
California State University, Los Angeles
City:
Los Angeles
State:
CA
Distance:
7 miles
Students:
27,685
Healthcare
Bell residents have access to nearby hospitals such as PIH Health Hospital - Downey and the Community Hospital of Huntington Park, both offering emergency services. There are about 2.5 physicians per 1,000 residents and 86.5% of the population has health insurance coverage. The healthcare index reflects reliable basic care for families and individuals.

Major Hospitals
Name:
PIH Health Hospital - Downey
Address:
11500 Brookshire Ave, Downey, CA 90241
Phone:
(562) 904-5000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Community Hospital of Huntington Park
Address:
2623 E Slauson Ave, Huntington Park, CA 90255
Phone:
(323) 583-1931
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.5
Health Insurance Coverage:
86.5%
Health Care Index:
77.2
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Bell, CA?
Bell’s housing market features a median home price of $565,000 and an average two-bedroom rent of $1,420, with a homeownership rate of 25.7%. The city has a tight rental market, reflected in a low vacancy rate of 2.8%, and homes have appreciated by 4.6% over the past year. Buyers and renters should act quickly due to limited availability and steady demand.
Median Home Price:
$565,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$1,420
Owner Occupied Rate:
25.7%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
2.8%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
4.6%
New Construction Rate:
0.7%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.3%
DMV Information
Vehicle services in Bell are handled by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, with the nearest office located on Mission Road in Los Angeles. Residents can find information or schedule appointments through the DMV website or by calling the statewide customer service number. The DMV provides standard services such as licensing, vehicle registration, and testing.
State:
California
Department:
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
3529 N. Mission Road, Los Angeles, CA 90031
Phone:
1-800-777-0133
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.