Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Central-Alameda
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Central-Alameda
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 Central-Alameda scores for you
Checking your quiz profile…
Score Central-Alameda 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 Central-Alameda against every neighborhood.
Central Alameda is a 2.18 square mile neighborhood in South Los Angeles anchored by the Metro A Line, which runs through Vernon, Washington, and Slauson stations. The area has a dense, urban character with a street-level intensity typical of working South LA, though tree cover is minimal and the landscape is predominantly concrete and asphalt.
Day-to-day life here centers around access to the Metro A Line, which connects you directly to downtown LA, Long Beach, and beyond. The neighborhood ranks 6th best in LA for traffic exposure, meaning your commute by car is typically lighter than most other areas, though you will still need a vehicle for many errands.
Living here
Central Alameda is walkable for some errands, with about one restaurant within a short walk and roughly one park per small neighborhood block, including Fred Roberts Recreation Center and Central Recreation Center. However, amenities overall rank near the bottom citywide (113th of 114), so you cannot do most shopping on foot. Coffee shops and grocery stores are scarce, and you will rely on a car for regular errands or regional trips.
Air quality here sits in the moderate range for California, with diesel PM exposure typical of urban South LA. The area is not particularly green, with only about 0.6 percent tree canopy, well below the LA average of 6.2 percent. Rents for new leases average about $2,655 per month, which is below the LA median and ranks 25th most affordable of 114 neighborhoods, though older residents in the area pay far less due to rent stabilization.
Who it's for
Central Alameda works best for renters who prioritize access to the Metro A Line and a lower cost of living relative to other LA neighborhoods, and who are comfortable driving a car for most shopping and errands. It is less suited to those who want to walk to shops, restaurants, and entertainment, or who prefer quiet, tree-lined streets.
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.
Metro rail
2 stations inside Central-Alameda, 2 more nearby.
Who lives in Central-Alameda
Population
42,086
Renters
67%
of households rent
Median age
32
Median income
$57k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Central-Alameda
12 public schools sit inside this area · 11 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ascot Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 41% | 44% |
| Aurora Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 28% | 31% |
| Holmes Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 24% | 14% |
| Hooper Avenue Elementary Elementary | 1-5 | 26% | 20% |
| Hooper Avenue Primary Center Elementary | K | — | — |
| ISANA Himalia AcademyCharter Elementary | K-8 | 32% | 22% |
| Nevin Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 32% | 37% |
| Animo Jefferson Charter MiddleCharter Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 33% | 21% |
| Dr. Julian Nava Learning Academy Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 33% | 16% |
| Synergy Kinetic AcademyCharter Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 46% | 33% |
| Animo Ralph Bunche Charter HighCharter High School | 9-12 | 58% | 11% |
| Nava College Preparatory Academy High School | 9-12 | 54% | 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 Central-Alameda
Church's Chicken · Tam's Burgers · Wingstop
Central Recreation Center · Fred Roberts Recreation Center · James Slauson Recreation Center · Ross Snyder Recreation Center
Check your commute from Central-Alameda
Enter your work (or any) address for real travel times from this neighborhood.
Similar neighborhoods
Next to Central-Alameda
What the census says about Central-Alameda
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Central-Alameda; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 36 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 79%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1955
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 24%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 4%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 84%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 43%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 2,998
- total housing units
Averaged across 7 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Central-Alameda in the regional index
How Central-Alameda places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where home prices go furthest
Ranks #10 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where rent goes furthest
Ranks #13 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- The areas with no affordable escape from pollution
Ranks #14 of 262 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Central-Alameda
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 Central Alameda easy to get around without a car?+
The Metro A Line provides good transit access, with Vernon, Washington, Slauson, and San Pedro Street stations nearby. However, the neighborhood ranks 27th of 114 for overall transit access, and walking is limited for daily errands. A car is strongly recommended for groceries, shopping, and local trips.
What is the rent here compared to the rest of LA?+
New leases average about $2,655 per month, making Central Alameda about $360 below the LA median and one of the more affordable neighborhoods. Current residents pay far less (about $1,544), but that reflects long-term and stabilized tenants, not what you would pay on a new lease today.
How much green space and shade are there?+
Tree canopy is very limited at only 0.6 percent, well below the LA average. Parks like Fred Roberts Recreation Center and Central Recreation Center provide outdoor space, but the neighborhood is predominantly concrete and can feel hot during summer months.
Is the air quality good?+
Central Alameda has moderate diesel PM exposure typical of urban South LA, ranking 78th of 114 neighborhoods for air quality. This is above the state median for pollution, so sensitive groups should factor that into their decision.
Is Central-Alameda walkable?+
Central-Alameda ranks #115 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Central-Alameda?+
A new lease in Central-Alameda typically asks around $2,655 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $1,544 (Census ACS), which includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants, so expect asking prices closer to the first number.
Does Central-Alameda have Metro rail access?+
Yes. Central-Alameda has 2 Metro rail stations within its boundary (Vernon, Washington), served by the Metro A Line.
How is the air quality in Central-Alameda?+
Central-Alameda has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 68 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Central-Alameda?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Central-Alameda are South Park, Florence, Vermont Knolls and Jefferson Park.