Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Calabasas
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Calabasas
Rent control: Calabasashas 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 Calabasas scores for you
Checking your quiz profile…
Score Calabasas your way
Drag a slider to say how much each thing matters to you. The score updates live.
Want the real thing? Take the full quiz to factor in your budget and commute and rank Calabasas against every neighborhood.
Calabasas is a foothill city in Los Angeles County, nestled between the Santa Monica and Santa Susana mountains about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. With a population of around 22,500, it is small, suburban, and oriented entirely toward car travel. The city sits at the edge of the San Fernando Valley, offering both mountain proximity and access to the sprawling valley beyond.
Life in Calabasas centers on single-family homes, tree-lined streets, and a quieter pace than the closer-in neighborhoods of the San Fernando Valley. The community is known for its open space and proximity to hiking and outdoor recreation, though the trade-off is isolation from dense urban amenities and public transit.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Calabasas requires a car for nearly everything. Most errands, shopping, and dining happen via automobile; public transit is minimal and infrequent. Grocery options include Erewhon and Ralphs, and there are restaurants scattered throughout (Green Basil, Tosconova, Sugarfish), but getting to them means driving. Parks like Freedom Park and Gates Canyon Park provide outdoor space nearby, and hiking trailheads are a short drive away.
Traffic on major corridors can be heavy during commute times, and air quality occasionally dips below the California median for particulate exposure, a concern for those sensitive to air pollution. Winter rains can affect foothill roads. The upside is affordable density, with homes and apartments spread out across much of the city, and the mountain setting appeals to those seeking escape from denser urban life.
Who it's for
Calabasas works best for renters who own or are comfortable owning a car, have flexible work schedules or work locally, and value suburban quietness and outdoor access over walkable neighborhoods and nightlife. It suits families, remote workers, and those seeking a small-town feel within reach of Los Angeles County. It is not a good fit for transit-dependent renters or anyone who prefers to walk to restaurants, shops, and entertainment.
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: above-average traffic corridor exposure.
Higher traffic proximity correlates with elevated noise, diesel emissions, and reduced pedestrian comfort on nearby streets.
Tree cover: moderate tree cover for the area.
Some shade and green presence on most blocks, above average for dense urban LA neighborhoods.
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 Calabasas
Population
12,220
Renters
13%
of households rent
Median age
48
Median income
$196k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Calabasas
4 public schools sit inside this area · 3 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Laurel Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 65% | 61% |
| Chaparral Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 72% | 67% |
| Lupin Hill Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 73% | 75% |
| Las Virgenes Adult 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 Calabasas
Erewhon · Ralphs
Barns & Noble Starbucks · Coffee Bean · Le Pain Quotidien · Philz Coffee
Crossroads Kitchen Calabasas · Domino's · Fresh Brothers Pizza Calabasas · Furn Saj Restaurant Bakery
Cairnloch Park · Calabasas and Park Grenada Waterfall · Calabasas Open Space Park · Calabasas Swim and Tennis Center
InnerPower Yoga · Vitality Personal Training
Check your commute from Calabasas
Enter your work (or any) address for real travel times from this neighborhood.
Similar neighborhoods
Next to Calabasas
What the census says about Calabasas
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Calabasas; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 41 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 78%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1979
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 1%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 6%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 95%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 84%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 4 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 11,855
- total housing units
Averaged across 16 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Calabasas in the regional index
How Calabasas places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #18 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where police report the fewest incidents
Ranks #77 of 254 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Calabasas
Found a place you like? Score it against your priorities to see how well any address fits your budget and commute.
Frequently asked questions
Is Calabasas walkable?+
No. Calabasas ranks 288th of 319 in walkability across the region, meaning most errands require a car. There is no meaningful public transit; you will need personal transportation to get around.
What public transit is available?+
Calabasas has very limited transit options and no rail stations. The city ranks 3rd of 319 in transit access regionally, but that ranking reflects minimal bus service with infrequent schedules. A car is essential.
How is the air quality?+
Air quality ranks 76th of 318 and sits below the California median for diesel PM exposure. Those with respiratory sensitivity may notice the difference, especially near main roads during peak traffic.
What are typical rents in Calabasas?+
Rent data for Calabasas is not currently available in our system. Contact local property managers or check listings directly for current pricing in the area.
What is the average rent in Calabasas?+
Current residents of Calabasas pay a median rent of about $3,203 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Calabasas?+
Calabasas has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 35 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Calabasas?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Calabasas are South Anaheim Foothills, Ladera Ranch, San Clemente Foothills and Coto de Caza Hills.