Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Bel-Air
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Bel-Air
Why two numbers? Long-term tenants (often in rent-stabilized units) pay less than today's asking prices. Budget from the asking rent, not the resident median.
Rent control: City of Los Angeleshas a Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO). Most buildings first occupied before October 1978 limit annual increases for sitting tenants; newer buildings at least 15 years old fall under California's statewide cap (AB 1482). Check a specific address with the LA Housing Department's ZIMAS tool before signing.
General information, not legal advice.
How Bel-Air scores for you
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Bel-Air is a residential enclave in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains on Los Angeles's Westside, defined by its tree-lined streets, low density, and quiet character. The neighborhood is known for its established landscaping and secluded feel, with homes set back from the street and substantial vegetation throughout.
This is not a walkable urban neighborhood. Most errands require a car, and public transit options are limited with infrequent service. The tradeoff is a distinctly suburban atmosphere with significant tree canopy (ranking 2nd of 114 LA neighborhoods), good air quality relative to the broader region, and minimal commercial density.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Bel-Air centers on driving. Within a short walk you will find about one restaurant, one grocery store, and one park, but these are spaced out enough that a car is the practical default. The neighborhood ranks 112th of 114 for walkability, meaning you cannot accomplish most errands on foot. There is no rail transit nearby, and bus service is infrequent.
The upside is a genuinely peaceful residential setting with excellent tree cover and lower pedestrian traffic. You will experience above-average traffic on major corridors, but the residential streets themselves are quiet. Schools, shopping, and dining options are accessible by short drives to nearby areas like Brentwood and Westwood.
Who it's for
Bel-Air is for renters seeking a quiet, car-dependent residential neighborhood with strong tree cover and privacy. It suits people who work elsewhere in Los Angeles and need a car anyway, or those prioritizing natural setting and seclusion over walkability and urban amenities. It is not suitable for renters without a car or those who want to walk to restaurants, bars, and shops.
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: good tree cover, with streets likely shaded.
Tree canopy reduces surface temperatures, absorbs noise, and is consistently linked to lower stress and higher neighborhood satisfaction in urban psychology research.
Walkability: most errands require a car or transit.
Lower intersection density and fewer destinations within walking distance, typical of suburban LA/OC areas.
Transit: limited transit, infrequent service in this area.
Transit exists but headways are long enough that a car or bike is more practical for most daily trips.
Environmental data from CalEnviroScreen 4.0 and the EPA Smart Location Database. Informational only, not professional advice for a housing decision.
Who lives in Bel-Air
Population
5,962
Renters
19%
of households rent
Median age
46
Median income
$199k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Bel-Air
2 public schools sit inside this area · 2 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Magnet Charter ElementaryCharter Elementary | K-5 | 84% | 84% |
| Roscomare Road Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 86% | 83% |
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 Bel-Air
Glen Market
The Restaurant at Hotel Bel-Air
De Neve Square · Hannah Carter Japanese Garden
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Next to Bel-Air
What the census says about Bel-Air
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Bel-Air; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 27 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 78%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1958
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 1%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 21%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 98%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 89%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 4 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 3,668
- total housing units
Averaged across 7 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Bel-Air in the regional index
How Bel-Air places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where police report the fewest incidents
Ranks #3 of 254 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #73 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Bel-Air
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Frequently asked questions
How much does rent cost in Bel-Air?+
New leases currently average about $9,072 per month (as of May 2026), ranking 102nd of 114 neighborhoods (meaning it is among the priciest). Current residents pay a median of about $2,816 per month, but that reflects long-term and rent-stabilized tenants; budget from the asking rent if you are searching now. One-bedroom units average around $2,503 and two-bedroom units around $3,017 among current residents, though new lease costs will be substantially higher.
Do I need a car in Bel-Air?+
Yes. The neighborhood ranks 112th of 114 for walkability, meaning most errands require a car or transit. There is no rail service nearby, and bus service is infrequent. If you do not have a car or prefer to walk for daily needs, this neighborhood is not a good fit.
What is the air quality and noise like?+
Air quality is moderate, ranking 50th of 114 neighborhoods, which is slightly better than the LA median. Tree canopy is excellent at 28.2%, ranking 2nd of all LA neighborhoods, so streets are typically shaded and pleasant. Traffic is above average on major corridors, but residential streets are quiet.
What amenities are nearby?+
Within a short walk there are about one restaurant, one grocery store, and one park. Options are limited compared to urban neighborhoods; most shopping, dining, and entertainment require a short drive to adjacent areas like Brentwood or Westwood.
Is Bel-Air walkable?+
Bel-Air ranks #317 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, most errands require a car or transit.
What is the average rent in Bel-Air?+
A new lease in Bel-Air typically asks around $9,072 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $2,816 (Census ACS), which includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants, so expect asking prices closer to the first number.
How is the air quality in Bel-Air?+
Bel-Air has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 54 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Bel-Air?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Bel-Air are La Cañada Flintridge, Rolling Hills, Beverly Crest and Rancho Mission Viejo Foothills.