Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Cerritos
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Cerritos
Rent control: Cerritoshas 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 Cerritos scores for you
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Cerritos is a mid-sized city in southeast Los Angeles County, part of the Gateway Cities region between Long Beach and Anaheim. Incorporated in 1956, it has grown into a residential community of about 49,600 people with a practical, car-dependent character. The city sits in a transitional corridor where freeway access dominates the landscape and commuting patterns.
Daily life in Cerritos revolves around driving. Most neighborhoods are spread out, and while grocery stores, gyms, and casual dining are present, they are distributed in a way that makes a car essential for most errands. The city ranks in the top tier for public transit access compared to other southeast County areas, which means bus service exists, but it remains infrequent by urban standards. Air quality is a genuine concern; Cerritos ranks in the bottom 12% of the region for air quality due to proximity to major freight corridors and diesel exposure.
Living here
Your day-to-day involves a car. Coffee shops like 85°C Bakery Cafe and Taste Tea are scattered throughout, and you will find grocery options including Walmart Supercenter, ALDI, and Seafood City within reasonable driving distance. Parks such as Reservoir Hill Park and Satellite Park provide green space, though the city has less tree canopy than many surrounding areas. Restaurants range from fast casual chains to local spots, giving you options without requiring much hunting.
Commuting from Cerritos generally means using I-605, I-405, or surface streets, and traffic here runs above average for the region. If you work in Long Beach, downtown LA, or Anaheim, you will be looking at regular freeway time. The city's strength is its location as a hub; you are equidistant from multiple employment centers, which can work in your favor if your workplace is flexible or if you are willing to trade walkability for accessibility to freeways.
Who it's for
Cerritos suits renters who need to commute by car and prioritize freeway access over walkability. Families often choose it for the stable residential character and school districts. It works well if you work in the Inland Empire, Long Beach, or Anaheim and want a quieter base than central LA. However, if you rely on public transit, prefer walkable errands, or are sensitive to air quality, you will be frustrated here.
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 Cerritos
Population
38,247
Renters
25%
of households rent
Median age
46
Median income
$129k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Cerritos
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esther Lindstrom Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 44% | 38% |
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 Cerritos
ALDI · Amazon Fresh · H Mart · Jerry's Liquor Market
7 Leaves Cafe · 85°C Bakery Cafe · BAKERS & BARISTAS · Bako
Aikan Sushi & Ramen · Amor y Tacos · Auntie Anne's · B&B
Brookhaven Park · Cerritos Park East · Ecology Park · Friendship Park
24 Hour Fitness Super Sport · Crunch Fitness · LA Fitness · Planet Fitness
Check your commute from Cerritos
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Similar neighborhoods
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What the census says about Cerritos
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Cerritos; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 36 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 81%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1970
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 6%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 2%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 95%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 80%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 13,498
- total housing units
Averaged across 24 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Cerritos in the regional index
How Cerritos places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where police report the fewest incidents
Ranks #38 of 254 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #49 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Cerritos
Found a place you like? Score it against your priorities to see how well any address fits your budget and commute.
Frequently asked questions
How good is public transit in Cerritos?+
Cerritos ranks 7th of 319 areas in the region for transit access, which is above average. However, this reflects bus service frequency and coverage, not rail; there are no Metro stations in the city. For most daily trips, you will still need a car.
Is Cerritos walkable?+
No. Cerritos ranks 289th of 319 for walkability, meaning most errands require a car or transit. The city is designed around automobile access, and distances between destinations are too large for comfortable walking.
What is the air quality like?+
Air quality is a real concern. Cerritos ranks 282nd of 318 areas for air quality and is in the top percentile for diesel PM exposure in California, due to proximity to major freight routes. If air quality is important to you, this is a tradeoff you should weigh carefully.
What kind of restaurants and shops are nearby?+
You will find casual chains like Chipotle, Wingstop, and Panera Bread, plus local grocers and bakeries. Within a short drive are about 9 restaurants per small neighborhood area and 1 to 2 coffee shops, but none of this is walkable; you will drive to them.
What is the average rent in Cerritos?+
Current residents of Cerritos pay a median rent of about $2,604 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Cerritos?+
Cerritos has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 71 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Cerritos?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Cerritos are Westchester, Quail Hill, Irvine Spectrum District and Orange.