Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Century City
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Century City
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 Century City scores for you
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Century City is a 176-acre business and employment hub on LA's Westside, about 10 miles west of downtown. The neighborhood is defined by its distinctive skyline of office towers and mixed-use developments that form one of the region's primary commercial centers. Despite its corporate identity, Century City also includes residential apartments and some street-level retail and dining.
The area sits south of Santa Monica Boulevard in a relatively compact footprint, making it feel more like a self-contained district than a sprawling neighborhood. You will encounter a lot of foot traffic during business hours, but the vibe shifts considerably after work. Amenities are plentiful here, ranking in the top 4 of all LA neighborhoods for restaurants, coffee shops, gyms, and grocery options within a short walk.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Century City centers on convenience and access to services. You can handle most errands on foot, with about 13 restaurants, 10 coffee shops, and 3 gyms within a short walk. However, the neighborhood is heavily oriented toward office workers, so weekday mornings and evenings are busy while nights and weekends are quieter. The lack of major transit (no nearby Metro rail) means most residents rely on cars for longer trips, though the compact layout works well for local errands.
The built environment is dominated by glass and concrete, with only about 8 percent tree canopy, so shade is scarce and the area can feel austere. You will experience above-average traffic exposure, and air quality is moderate for California (diesel PM exposure ranks in the 66th percentile). Century Park and Roxbury Park offer green space nearby, but neither is particularly large. This is a functional, service-rich neighborhood better suited to those working nearby or prioritizing walkable amenities over leafy, residential character.
Who it's for
Century City works best for renters who work in or near the area and value walkable access to dining, shopping, and fitness options. The high cost of living (asking rents average $7,702 per month, well above the LA median) makes it suited to professionals with strong incomes rather than budget-conscious renters. It is less ideal for those seeking a traditional neighborhood feel or who want minimal car dependence, since transit is minimal and the character is overwhelmingly commercial.
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: 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 Century City
Population
5,147
Renters
47%
of households rent
Median age
52
Median income
$147k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Century City
1 public school sit inside this area · 1 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beverly Hills High High School | 9-12 | 67% | 52% |
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 Century City
Gelson's · Ralphs
85°C Bakery Cafe · Blue Bottle Coffee · Cafe Landwer · Cha Cha Matcha
Auntie Anne's · California Pizza Kitchen · Carmine's · CAVA
Century Park · Roxbury Park
Equinox · Orangetheory Fitness · Reformacore
Check your commute from Century City
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Century City
What the census says about Century City
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Century City; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 23 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 64%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1968
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 1%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 14%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 96%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 23%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 2,585
- total housing units
Averaged across 3 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Century City in the regional index
How Century City places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Plenty nearby, easy to get around
Ranks #23 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where police report the fewest incidents
Ranks #53 of 254 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #80 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Century City
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Frequently asked questions
How much does rent cost in Century City?+
New lease asking rents average $7,702 per month as of May 2026, making Century City one of the three most expensive neighborhoods in LA (rank 111 of 114). One-bedroom apartments start around $2,557, while two and three-bedroom units run about $3,501 according to current residents.
Do I need a car in Century City?+
Yes. There is no nearby Metro rail, and transit access is minimal (rank 31 of 114). While the neighborhood is walkable for some errands and restaurants, you will need a car for trips beyond the immediate area. Walkability is moderate (rank 56 of 114), so a car is strongly recommended.
What amenities are nearby?+
Century City ranks in the top 4 neighborhoods for walkable amenities, with about 13 restaurants, 10 coffee shops, 3 gyms, 2 parks, and 1 grocery store within a short walk. Options include Gelson's and Ralphs for groceries, Equinox and Orangetheory for fitness, and a wide range of dining from casual to upscale.
Is the air quality good?+
Air quality is moderate for California, ranking in the 66th percentile for diesel PM exposure. The area experiences above-average traffic, so sensitive individuals may notice pollution. Tree canopy is very limited at 8 percent, which adds to heat and concrete exposure.
Is Century City walkable?+
Century City ranks #97 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Century City?+
A new lease in Century City typically asks around $7,702 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $3,129 (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 Century City?+
Century City has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 66 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Century City?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Century City are El Camino Real, Great Park Irvine, Culver City and Westpark.