Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Alhambra
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Rent in Alhambra
Rent control: Alhambrahas 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 Alhambra scores for you
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Alhambra is a city of about 83,000 people in the western San Gabriel Valley, roughly 8 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Incorporated in 1903, it has grown into a diverse, established community with a strong commercial core and residential neighborhoods that reflect its location as a bridge between central LA and the broader valley.
The city blends suburban living with urban proximity. You'll find strip malls and small commercial pockets throughout, alongside single-family homes and low-rise apartments. Alhambra draws people who want to be within reach of LA's job centers and culture without living in the densest parts of the region.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Alhambra centers on a mix of car-based errands and walkable pockets. You can handle some shopping and dining on foot in certain areas, but a car is essential for most residents. The city has moderate air pollution for California and above-average traffic exposure, especially along major corridors. Commuting to other parts of LA or the valley is routine for many residents.
Parks like Alhambra Park and Plaza Park provide outdoor space, and the dining scene leans heavily on Asian cuisine, ramen shops, pho restaurants, and casual chains. Coffee spots and gyms are fairly common. Public transit is minimal, so car ownership is not optional if you plan to work elsewhere or need flexibility.
Who it's for
Alhambra suits renters who work in the San Gabriel Valley or central LA and prioritize being close to job centers over a highly walkable neighborhood. It works for families seeking affordable, stable suburban living with reasonable access to regional freeways. If you depend on public transit, need a very walkable urban setting, or want excellent air quality, other areas will serve you better.
Environment & livability
Air quality: moderate diesel PM exposure for California.
Above the state median, linked to mild long-term respiratory risk in some studies. Worth considering for sensitive households.
Traffic exposure: above-average traffic corridor exposure.
Higher traffic proximity correlates with elevated noise, diesel emissions, and reduced pedestrian comfort on nearby streets.
Tree cover: very limited tree cover, predominantly concrete.
Low canopy areas tend to run hotter and feel more exposed. Research links tree cover to lower ambient temperatures and improved pedestrian comfort.
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 Alhambra
Population
80,065
Renters
58%
of households rent
Median age
42
Median income
$83k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Alhambra
10 public schools sit inside this area · 10 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emery Park Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 49% | 35% |
| Fremont Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 59% | 53% |
| Garfield Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 59% | 50% |
| Granada Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 40% | 30% |
| Marguerita Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 53% | 46% |
| Martha Baldwin Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 65% | 60% |
| Park Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 65% | 51% |
| Ramona Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 66% | 57% |
| Sierra Vista Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 61% | 61% |
| William Northrup Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 60% | 56% |
Source: California Dept. of Education (directory) and CAASPP Smarter Balanced, 2025. We publish these figures as the state reports them and show the same table for every neighborhood. Saktoo does not rate schools, and school data is never part of a neighborhood match score. Attendance boundaries change — confirm the assigned school with the district before relying on it.
Around Alhambra
99 Ranch Market · Albertsons · Aldi · Asia Supermarket
7 Leaves Cafe · 85°C Bakery Cafe · Bagel Exchange · Boba Craft Cafe
5 Stars Hue Restaurant · A-Me Kitchen · Al's Beef · All That Shabu
Alhambra Park · Almansor Park · Burke Park · Gateway Plaza Park
24 Hour Fitness · CrossFit · LA Fitness · Made by Solace
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What the census says about Alhambra
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Alhambra; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 34 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 75%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1958
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 9%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 6%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 92%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 52%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 15,610
- total housing units
Averaged across 25 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Alhambra in the regional index
How Alhambra places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Plenty nearby, easy to get around
Ranks #39 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #52 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Cheap rent without needing a car
Ranks #54 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Alhambra
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Alhambra?+
Yes. While you can walk to some shops and restaurants in denser zones, public transit is minimal and Alhambra is designed around car use. Most residents rely on personal vehicles for work and daily errands.
What is the air quality like?+
Alhambra has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, ranking 245th of 318 places in the region. It experiences above-average particulate pollution, typical of the San Gabriel Valley's location and traffic patterns.
How walkable is Alhambra?+
The city ranks 147th of 319 in walkability, slightly above the regional average. Some neighborhoods support walking for errands, but you will find stretches that require a car. It is walkable for some errands, but a car is useful and often necessary.
What are the main employers and job centers nearby?+
Alhambra itself has small business districts, but many residents commute to central LA, Long Beach, or other San Gabriel Valley cities. Freeway access (I-10, I-210, and others) makes regional commuting viable, though traffic can be heavy during rush hour.
Is Alhambra walkable?+
Alhambra ranks #88 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Alhambra?+
Current residents of Alhambra pay a median rent of about $1,843 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Alhambra?+
Alhambra has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 72 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Alhambra?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Alhambra are North Anaheim, Anaheim Resort District, Lawndale and Lomita.