Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Monrovia
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Rent in Monrovia
Rent control: Monroviahas no local rent-stabilization ordinance we track, so California's statewide cap (AB 1482) is the main protection. It limits annual increases on most buildings at least 15 years old, with exemptions. Verify a building's status before signing.
General information, not legal advice.
How Monrovia scores for you
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Monrovia is a residential city in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, about 25 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Incorporated in 1887, it evolved from orange ranches into a stable, tree-lined community of around 38,000 residents. The city offers a quieter, lower-density alternative to denser parts of the county, with proximity to hiking and outdoor recreation in the nearby mountains.
The city's character is fundamentally car-dependent and suburban. Most errands and activities require a vehicle, and public transit options are limited. However, Monrovia benefits from cleaner air than most of Southern California and lower traffic exposure compared to the regional average, making it appealing to renters prioritizing quieter, healthier living over walkability.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Monrovia revolves around driving. Within a short walk you'll find about 10 restaurants, 2 coffee shops, and a grocery store, but the spacing between them means most errands are car trips. Parks like Oak Park and Lucinda Garcia Park provide green space and community gathering spots. The foothills location means cooler temperatures than lower-elevation areas and easy access to San Gabriel Mountains trails for hiking and outdoor activities.
Monrovia's appeal lies in what it is not: it avoids the heavy traffic and congestion of more central areas, and residents enjoy some of the cleanest air in the region. The trade-off is clear: if you rely on walking, biking, or public transit, this is not the right fit. If you work nearby, have a vehicle, and value a quieter, less dense setting with better air quality, Monrovia delivers on those priorities.
Who it's for
Monrovia works best for renters with a car who prioritize outdoor access, cleaner air, and a quieter residential environment over walkability and transit. It suits families, retirees, and anyone working in the immediate San Gabriel Valley area. If you need walkable urban amenities, frequent public transit, or a vibrant nightlife scene, look elsewhere in the county.
Environment & livability
Air quality: below the California median for diesel PM exposure.
Air quality here is better than average for the state. Worth noting if you have respiratory sensitivities.
Traffic exposure: moderate traffic exposure, below the state median.
Traffic proximity here is better than average for California.
Tree cover: moderate tree cover for the area.
Some shade and green presence on most blocks, above average for dense urban LA neighborhoods.
Walkability: walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
A mixed walkability area. Good for quick trips on foot, but some destinations will require driving or transit.
Transit: minimal transit access, car strongly recommended.
Very infrequent or no meaningful transit nearby. Car dependency is high in this area.
Environmental data from CalEnviroScreen 4.0 and the EPA Smart Location Database. Informational only, not professional advice for a housing decision.
Who lives in Monrovia
Population
30,431
Renters
48%
of households rent
Median age
41
Median income
$107k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Around Monrovia
Good Fortune Supermarket · Ralphs · Vons · Trader Joe's
Monrovia Coffee Co · Red · Starbucks · The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Taco Bell · Wang's Place · Cafe Mundial · Tacos Ensenada
Oak Park · Lucinda Garcia Park · Julian Fisher Park · Station Square
Club Pilates · Ultraflex Fitness · New Gym · Tae Kwon Do
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Finding a place in Monrovia
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Monrovia?+
Yes. Monrovia ranks 300th of 319 places in walkability, meaning most daily errands require a vehicle. Public transit is limited and infrequent. Without a car, your options are severely constrained.
What's the air quality like?+
Monrovia has cleaner air than most of California, ranking 21st of 318 places regionally in air quality. The foothills location benefits from better air circulation and lower pollution exposure than flatter, more congested areas.
How is the traffic?+
Monrovia ranks 13th of 317 places for low traffic exposure. You'll encounter significantly less congestion here than in central Los Angeles or busier parts of the San Gabriel Valley, though driving is still your primary transportation mode.
Is there public transit?+
Transit is limited. Monrovia ranks 38th of 319 places regionally, but this reflects a sparse system compared to the county average. There are no rail stations in the city, so public transportation is not a reliable way to get around.
Is Monrovia walkable?+
Monrovia ranks #277 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Monrovia?+
Current residents of Monrovia pay a median rent of about $2,081 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Monrovia?+
Monrovia has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 38 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Monrovia?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Monrovia are East OC Hills, East Trabuco Canyon Hills, North Silverado Hills and Hollywood Hills West.