Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Chatsworth
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Chatsworth
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 Chatsworth scores for you
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Chatsworth is a sprawling suburban neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley with one of the lowest population densities in Los Angeles. Once home to Native American communities who left rock art in local caves, the area was later settled by Spanish colonists and developed into agricultural land before becoming a modern residential community. The neighborhood is known for the historic Iverson Movie Ranch, a 500-acre property that served as the most filmed movie ranch in history, hosting over 2,000 productions.
Today Chatsworth feels quiet and spacious, with tree-lined streets and single-family homes dominating the landscape. It's a neighborhood where you trade the density and walkability of closer-in LA for breathing room and a more suburban pace of life. Rent here runs about $3,026 for a new lease, ranking it in the pricier tier of LA neighborhoods, though it sits well above the LA average of about $2,016.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Chatsworth requires a car. You'll find most errands walkable for some trips, like grabbing coffee at spots like Coyote Coffee or picking up groceries at Vons or Trader Joe's, but the neighborhood ranks 93rd of 114 for walkability, so you can't rely on foot traffic for everything. Parks like Mason Park and Jane & Bert Boeckmann Park offer outdoor space nearby, and you'll find about 1.8 coffee shops, 1.3 grocery stores, and 1.5 gyms within a short walk.
There is no rail transit in Chatsworth, and the area ranks 38th of 114 for transit access overall, so public transportation is not a realistic option for daily commuting. Traffic exposure is above average relative to LA neighborhoods, and tree cover is minimal at just 4.1 percent, giving the area a sparse, exposed feel. Air quality ranks 24th of 114, placing it below the California median for diesel PM exposure. If you work outside the immediate neighborhood, expect to drive regularly.
Who it's for
Chatsworth works best for renters who have reliable car access and prioritize suburban quiet over walkability and convenience. It suits families, remote workers, or anyone seeking affordable space relative to size rather than proximity to transit or dense amenities. If you need easy public transportation access or prefer an urban neighborhood where you can walk to most errands, Chatsworth will feel limiting. If you value low density, low-key residential streets, and don't mind driving for most activities, you'll find it comfortable.
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: 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 Chatsworth
Population
37,891
Renters
25%
of households rent
Median age
46
Median income
$125k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Chatsworth
10 public schools sit inside this area · 9 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDS Elementary Elementary | 5-6 | — | — |
| Chatsworth Park ES Urban Planning/Community Development Magnet Elementary | K-5 | 58% | 55% |
| Germain Academy For Academic Achievement Elementary | K-5 | 45% | 44% |
| Our CommunityCharter Elementary | K-8 | 60% | 48% |
| Porter Ranch Community Elementary | K-8 | 81% | 73% |
| Superior Street ElementaryCharter Elementary | K-5 | 66% | 63% |
| Ernest Lawrence Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 51% | 37% |
| Chatsworth Charter HighCharter High School | 9-12 | 51% | 34% |
| Stoney Point Continuation High School | 9-12 | 13% | 6% |
| William Tell Aggeler Opportunity High High School | 8-12 | 0% | 0% |
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 Chatsworth
Ralphs · Trader Joe's · Vons · Whole Foods Market
Coyote Coffee · Game n' Grounds · Mini's Croissants & Boba · Peet's Coffee
Amazing Siam · Ameci Pizza & Pasta · Applebee's · Best Hikari Sushi
Jane & Bert Boeckmann Park · Mason Park
Anytime Fitness · Mayweather Boxing + Fitness · YogaSix
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Chatsworth
What the census says about Chatsworth
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Chatsworth; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 33 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 73%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1974
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 4%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 3%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 94%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 69%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 21,492
- total housing units
Averaged across 31 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Chatsworth in the regional index
How Chatsworth places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #31 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where police report the fewest incidents
Ranks #83 of 254 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Chatsworth
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Chatsworth?+
Yes. There is no rail transit nearby, and the neighborhood ranks 93rd of 114 for walkability, so a car is essential for commuting and most errands beyond nearby groceries or coffee shops.
How much does rent cost in Chatsworth?+
New leases average about $3,026 per month as of May 2026, which ranks Chatsworth 89th of 114 neighborhoods for median rent, making it pricier than most of LA. Current residents pay a median of $2,490, but that figure includes long-term tenants with lower rates; budget from the asking rent if you're moving here.
Is there much to do or good food nearby?+
You'll find basic amenities within a short walk, including about 4.85 restaurants, 1.8 coffee shops, and 1.3 grocery stores per small neighborhood area. Dining options range from casual chains like Subway to spots like Stonefire Grill and Pho Saigon 1, but the neighborhood doesn't have the density or variety of closer-in LA areas.
What's the weather and air quality like?+
Air quality ranks 24th of 114, placing it below the California median for diesel PM exposure. Tree cover is very limited at 4.1 percent, so the neighborhood can feel hot and exposed, especially in summer months.
Is Chatsworth walkable?+
Chatsworth ranks #234 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Chatsworth?+
A new lease in Chatsworth typically asks around $3,026 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $2,490 (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 Chatsworth?+
Chatsworth has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 42 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Chatsworth?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Chatsworth are Granada Hills, Walnut, Walnut and West Hills.