Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Baldwin Park
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Baldwin Park
Rent control: Baldwin Parkhas 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 Baldwin Park scores for you
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Baldwin Park is a city in the central San Gabriel Valley with about 72,000 residents. It's a car-dependent community where most daily life centers on family neighborhoods and local strip-mall commerce rather than walkable urban blocks. The city ranks 210th out of 319 areas in walkability, meaning you can handle some errands on foot, but you'll need a car for most trips.
What Baldwin Park offers is straightforward: modest housing costs typical of the inland Valley, good schools, and a laid-back suburban character. Air quality is below California's median for diesel PM exposure, and traffic is moderate, ranking better than the state average. It's not a destination neighborhood; it's a place where people live and raise families quietly.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Baldwin Park revolves around driving. You'll find grocery stores like Food 4 Less, El Super, and Vallarta within the city, plus restaurants and cafes scattered across local shopping centers. Parks like Morgan Park and Barnes Park serve as gathering spaces, though the city doesn't have abundant green space. Public transit is minimal (ranking 301st of 319), so a car is essential for work, errands, and getting around the region.
The pace is suburban and predictable. Schools are a draw for families, and the community has a working-class, multicultural feel. Weekend life might mean trips to bigger retail centers in nearby areas or taking the freeway to other parts of the Valley. It's a no-frills, functional place to live where you'll spend most of your time managing car commutes and household routines.
Who it's for
Baldwin Park works for renters who prioritize affordability and don't mind a car-dependent lifestyle. It's appealing to families seeking stable schools and quiet neighborhoods, as well as workers employed in the San Gabriel Valley or willing to commute on the freeway. If you need walkability, public transit, or neighborhood nightlife, this isn't the place. If you want space, low pressure, and a practical suburban base, it's worth considering.
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: moderate traffic exposure, below the state median.
Traffic proximity here is better than average for California.
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 Baldwin Park
Population
52,099
Renters
37%
of households rent
Median age
38
Median income
$75k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Baldwin Park
17 public schools sit inside this area · 16 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| BP STEM Academy Elementary | 3-8 | 49% | 32% |
| Charles Bursch Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 35% | 19% |
| De Anza Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 40% | 27% |
| Ernest R. Geddes Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 33% | 27% |
| Foster Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 38% | 35% |
| J. E. Van Wig Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 47% | 26% |
| Kenmore Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 51% | 40% |
| Tracy Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 39% | 26% |
| Vineland Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 27% | 18% |
| Walnut Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 36% | 35% |
| Charles D. Jones Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 35% | 18% |
| Olive Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 39% | 27% |
| Sierra Vista Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 42% | 32% |
| Baldwin Park High High School | 9-12 | 58% | 19% |
| North Park Continuation High High School | 10-12 | 6% | 6% |
| Sierra Vista High High School | 9-12 | 67% | 37% |
| Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education Adult | No Data | — | — |
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 Baldwin Park
El Super · Food 4 Less · Superior Grocers · Vallarta
Starbucks · The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf · Tony's Donut House
626 Hawaiian BBQ · Alfredo's Mexican Food · BP Pizza Co. · Burger King
Barnes Park · Central Park West · Morgan Park · Teri G Muse Family Center
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Next to Baldwin Park
What the census says about Baldwin Park
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Baldwin Park; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 33 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 84%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1962
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 20%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 2%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 92%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 74%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 8,942
- total housing units
Averaged across 20 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Baldwin Park in the regional index
How Baldwin Park places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where home prices go furthest
Ranks #36 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- The areas with no affordable escape from pollution
Ranks #51 of 262 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Low rent and clean air together
Ranks #84 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Baldwin Park
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Baldwin Park?+
Yes. Public transit is minimal, and the city ranks among the lowest in the region for transit access. A car is essential for daily life, work commutes, and getting around.
How is the air quality?+
Air quality is below California's median for diesel PM exposure. It's not exceptional, but it's not the worst in the region either. If you're sensitive to air pollution, check current readings and talk to your doctor.
Are there parks and outdoor spaces?+
Yes, Baldwin Park has several parks including Morgan Park, Barnes Park, and Central Park West. However, the city doesn't have abundant green canopy, so outdoor options are more limited than in some neighboring areas.
Is Baldwin Park walkable?+
Partially. You can walk for some errands, but not most. The city ranks 210th of 319 areas in walkability, so expect to drive for groceries, dining, and entertainment most of the time.
What is the average rent in Baldwin Park?+
Current residents of Baldwin Park pay a median rent of about $1,848 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Baldwin Park?+
Baldwin Park has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 56 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Baldwin Park?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Baldwin Park are La Puente, Inglewood, Garden Grove Koreatown and Sun Valley.