Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Altadena
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Rent in Altadena
Rent control: Altadenahas 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 Altadena scores for you
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Altadena is an unincorporated community in the San Gabriel Valley, situated directly north of Pasadena about 14 miles from Downtown Los Angeles. Home to roughly 43,000 residents, it offers a quieter, more suburban character than much of the region while maintaining proximity to the foothills and natural areas. In early 2025, the community was significantly impacted by the Eaton Fire, which affected many homes and neighborhoods.
The area is known for its cleaner air quality, ranking in the top 8% regionally, and notably low traffic exposure compared to surrounding communities. This makes it attractive to those prioritizing environmental quality and a slower pace of life, though it comes with fewer walkable amenities and limited public transit options.
Living here
Daily life in Altadena centers on a car-dependent rhythm. While you can walk to some errands, most destinations require driving. Within a short walk you'll find about one coffee shop, two restaurants, one grocery store, and one park per small area, but these are spread out enough that a vehicle is essential for most errands. The community has minimal public transit access and no Metro rail stations nearby, so car ownership is strongly recommended.
The neighborhood rewards those seeking quieter living and outdoor space. Access to Mount Lowe Park and other green areas provides recreation without urban congestion. The low traffic and clean air make it especially appealing for families and those sensitive to pollution, though you'll sacrifice the walkability and transit convenience of denser neighborhoods.
Who it's for
Altadena suits renters who prioritize air quality, a quieter suburban setting, and access to nature over walkability and transit convenience. It works well for families, remote workers, and anyone with a car who values a slower pace and lower traffic exposure. If you need to rely on public transportation or prefer to walk most places, look elsewhere.
Environment & livability
Air quality: cleaner air than most of California.
Long-term diesel PM exposure is linked to elevated respiratory and cardiovascular risk. This area is well below the state median.
Traffic exposure: low traffic corridor exposure.
Lower traffic proximity means less diesel exhaust, road noise, and pedestrian hazard from passing vehicles.
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 Altadena
Population
36,471
Renters
27%
of households rent
Median age
43
Median income
$130k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Altadena
6 public schools sit inside this area · 6 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altadena Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 49% | 45% |
| Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 43% | 38% |
| OCS - SouthCharter Elementary | K-8 | 67% | 53% |
| Odyssey CharterCharter Elementary | K-8 | 80% | 65% |
| Webster Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 44% | 35% |
| Charles W. Eliot Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 30% | 16% |
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 Altadena
Aldi · Armen · Bo's Altadena Market · Grocery Outlet
Callisto Tea House · Coffee Gallery · Starbucks · Unincorporated Coffee Roasters
10th Hole Bar and Grill · Fair Oaks Burger · Fox's Restaurant · HomeState
Charles S. Farnsworth Park · Charles White Park · Mount Lowe Park
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What the census says about Altadena
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Altadena; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 31 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 83%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1945
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 5%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 4%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 95%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 86%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 9,005
- total housing units
Averaged across 20 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Altadena in the regional index
How Altadena places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Tree cover, clean air, little traffic
Ranks #4 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Low rent and clean air together
Ranks #20 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where police report the fewest incidents
Ranks #27 of 254 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Altadena
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Altadena?+
Yes, strongly. There is no public rail access and minimal transit overall. You'll need a car for most errands, work, and activities outside your immediate neighborhood.
What is the air quality like?+
Altadena ranks in the top 8% of Southern California for air quality, with significantly cleaner air than the regional average. This is one of the area's strongest advantages.
Is Altadena walkable?+
It's walkable for some errands but not highly walkable overall. Basic services like coffee, groceries, and parks exist nearby, but they're spread out enough that walking to most destinations is impractical.
How is traffic compared to other parts of LA County?+
Altadena has notably low traffic exposure, ranking in the top 3% regionally for light traffic corridors. This is significantly better than the regional average.
What is the average rent in Altadena?+
Current residents of Altadena pay a median rent of about $2,416 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Altadena?+
Altadena has cleaner air than most of California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 18 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Altadena?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Altadena are Palos Verdes Estates, San Marino, Mission Viejo Hills and Sierra Madre.