California is home to some of the richest people in the country. Unfortunately, the state is also ranked as having one of the highest rates of poverty in the entire nation per the National Census Bureau. To shed light on the staggering poverty rates in our state, we have put together a list of 10 of the poorest cities in Southern California by referencing data compiled by Housely.com and City-data.com. Although there are many more cities that could be added to this list, these locations will give you an idea of the percentage of residents who are living below the poverty line in each of the areas listed below. The numbers are disturbing. It is quite pricey to live in our beautiful region, so it ends up that a lot of residents who live here struggle with the high cost of living found in Southern California.
- Moreno Valley in Riverside County
Wikimedia Commons City-Data.com reported that a little over 14% of residents were living below the poverty line in Moreno Valley, California as of 2013. It can be tough to live in an expensive region like Southern California when you’re struggling financially. Moreno Valley, CA, USA
- Ontario in San Bernardino County
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Over 15% of residents in Ontario, California live below the poverty line. That’s a pretty high percentage. Ontario, CA, USA
- Palmdale in Los Angeles County
Wikimedia Commons Almost 16% of Palmdale, California residents live below the poverty line. Los Angeles County is an expensive place to live, so it may not be surprising that there are a large number of residents living in poverty. Palmdale, CA, USA
- El Cajon in San Diego County
Wikimedia Commons 17% of residents in El Cajon, California are living below the poverty level. El Cajon is considered to have the highest poverty rate in San Diego County. In a pricey city like San Diego, it can be hard to keep up financially. El Cajon, CA, USA
- Santa Fe Springs in Los Angeles County
Wikimedia Commons As of 2013, almost 20% of residents were identified as living below the poverty level in Santa Fe Springs, California. Like all of these cities, there are plenty of positive attributes here too, including the cool swap meet for which it’s known. Santa Fe Springs, CA, USA
- Hawthorne in Los Angeles County
flickr/Doug Kerr Over 20% of the population in Hawthorne, California is living below the federal poverty line. One fifth of the residents here are going through some real financial hardship. Hawthorne, CA, USA
- El Centro in Imperial County
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Data compiled in 2013 tells us that close to 23% of residents in El Centro, California are living below the poverty line. That number has most likely increased in the past years, making it one of the poorest cities in California. El Centro, CA, USA
- El Monte in Los Angeles County
flickr/Oran Viriyincy Over 26% of residents live below the poverty line per income data captured in 2013. Many people in El Monte, California are having a hard time getting by since it’s one of the poorest cities in Los Angeles County. El Monte, CA, USA
- Compton in Los Angeles County
Wikimedia Commons 28% of Compton, California residents are living below the poverty line as of 2013. This town unfortunately also makes the list of the most dangerous cities in Southern California. Compton, CA, USA
- San Bernardino in San Bernardino County
flickr/Don Barrett A staggering 35% of the population in San Bernardino, California live below the federal poverty line, making San Bernardino the poorest city in Southern California. San Bernardino, CA, USA
It’s quite a wake-up call to see such high levels of poverty throughout the state. Even in affluent areas in Southern California, it’s commonplace to see drastic income distinctions from one neighborhood to the next, as well as wide differences between the most and least affluent residents in a given area. As disturbing as these statistics are, it’s something we should be aware of as poverty is all around us in our state. The issue shouldn’t be ignored.
Wikimedia Commons
City-Data.com reported that a little over 14% of residents were living below the poverty line in Moreno Valley, California as of 2013. It can be tough to live in an expensive region like Southern California when you’re struggling financially.
Moreno Valley, CA, USA
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Over 15% of residents in Ontario, California live below the poverty line. That’s a pretty high percentage.
Ontario, CA, USA
Almost 16% of Palmdale, California residents live below the poverty line. Los Angeles County is an expensive place to live, so it may not be surprising that there are a large number of residents living in poverty.
Palmdale, CA, USA
17% of residents in El Cajon, California are living below the poverty level. El Cajon is considered to have the highest poverty rate in San Diego County. In a pricey city like San Diego, it can be hard to keep up financially.
El Cajon, CA, USA
As of 2013, almost 20% of residents were identified as living below the poverty level in Santa Fe Springs, California. Like all of these cities, there are plenty of positive attributes here too, including the cool swap meet for which it’s known.
Santa Fe Springs, CA, USA
flickr/Doug Kerr
Over 20% of the population in Hawthorne, California is living below the federal poverty line. One fifth of the residents here are going through some real financial hardship.
Hawthorne, CA, USA
Data compiled in 2013 tells us that close to 23% of residents in El Centro, California are living below the poverty line. That number has most likely increased in the past years, making it one of the poorest cities in California.
El Centro, CA, USA
flickr/Oran Viriyincy
Over 26% of residents live below the poverty line per income data captured in 2013. Many people in El Monte, California are having a hard time getting by since it’s one of the poorest cities in Los Angeles County.
El Monte, CA, USA
28% of Compton, California residents are living below the poverty line as of 2013. This town unfortunately also makes the list of the most dangerous cities in Southern California.
Compton, CA, USA
flickr/Don Barrett
A staggering 35% of the population in San Bernardino, California live below the federal poverty line, making San Bernardino the poorest city in Southern California.
San Bernardino, CA, USA
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Poorest Cities in Southern California December 28, 2022 Danielle Schwartz What are the richest cities in Southern California? The richest cities in Southern California are full of gorgeous places to live or visit.
Irvine in Orange County Santa Monica, California Chino Hills, California Mission Viejo, California Thousand Oaks, California San Clemente, California Carlsbad, California Redondo Beach, California Laguna Nigel, California Newport Beach, California
Where are the safest cities in Southern California? The safest cities in Southern California are excellent places to settle down with your family and not worry about crime.
Rancho Santa Margarita, California Poway, California Rancho Palos Verdes, California
The OIYS Visitor Center
Poorest Cities in Southern California
December 28, 2022
Danielle Schwartz
What are the richest cities in Southern California? The richest cities in Southern California are full of gorgeous places to live or visit.
Irvine in Orange County Santa Monica, California Chino Hills, California Mission Viejo, California Thousand Oaks, California San Clemente, California Carlsbad, California Redondo Beach, California Laguna Nigel, California Newport Beach, California
Where are the safest cities in Southern California? The safest cities in Southern California are excellent places to settle down with your family and not worry about crime.
Rancho Santa Margarita, California Poway, California Rancho Palos Verdes, California
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The richest cities in Southern California are full of gorgeous places to live or visit.
- Irvine in Orange County
- Santa Monica, California
- Chino Hills, California
- Mission Viejo, California
- Thousand Oaks, California
- San Clemente, California
- Carlsbad, California
- Redondo Beach, California
- Laguna Nigel, California
- Newport Beach, California
Where are the safest cities in Southern California?
The safest cities in Southern California are excellent places to settle down with your family and not worry about crime.
- Rancho Santa Margarita, California
- Poway, California
- Rancho Palos Verdes, California
