Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Compton
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Compton
Rent control: Comptonhas 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 Compton scores for you
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Compton is one of the oldest cities in Los Angeles County, incorporated in 1888 and now home to nearly 96,000 residents in the Gateway Cities region south of downtown LA. The city is a working-class community with a mix of residential neighborhoods, local businesses, and parks that serve as gathering spots for families.
Daily life in Compton centers around car-dependent routines. You will need a vehicle for most errands and commuting, as public transit is minimal and the nearest rail stations are not within the city. Traffic exposure is above average for the region, though air quality ranks below the regional median due to moderate diesel PM pollution.
Living here
Getting around Compton requires a car for nearly everything. You can walk to some nearby shops and restaurants, but most destinations are scattered across the city in a way that makes driving practical. Amenities like grocery stores (Food 4 Less, ALDI, Smart & Final Extra), gyms, and parks are present but modest in number, so you may need to plan errands rather than pop out spontaneously.
The neighborhood character is residential and family-oriented, with access to parks like Greenleaf Parkway, Oaks Park, and Kelly Park within a short drive. The cost of living remains moderate compared to many other Southern California communities, making it appealing to renters working in the region who prioritize affordability over walkability.
Who it's for
Compton works best for renters who own or plan to own a car and are comfortable in a car-dependent environment. It suits workers employed in the Gateway Cities, Long Beach, or nearby industrial areas who want to avoid long commutes and prefer a quieter, family-friendly setting over urban amenities. If you rely on public transit or want to walk to most errands, this is not the right fit.
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 Compton
Population
95,607
Renters
42%
of households rent
Median age
34
Median income
$74k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Compton
8 public schools sit inside this area · 7 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bursch Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 46% | 46% |
| Helen Keller Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 42% | 33% |
| ISANA Achernar AcademyCharter Elementary | K-8 | 33% | 22% |
| KIPP Compton CommunityCharter Elementary | K-6 | 22% | 17% |
| King Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 31% | 26% |
| Lindbergh Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 37% | 26% |
| Lifeline Education CharterCharter Elementary-High Combination | K-12 | 61% | 42% |
| Long Beach School for Adults 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 Compton
ALDI · Duron's Market · Food 4 Less · Grocery Outlet
Starbucks
Alma's Cookies & Company Restaurant · Big Man Big Dogz · Burger King · Carl's Jr.
Compton Creek Natural Park · Doctor Walter R Tucker Park · Ellerman Park · Fig/Oleander Park
24 Hour Fitness · LA Fitness
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Compton
What the census says about Compton
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Compton; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 33 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 84%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1959
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 21%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 3%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 86%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 65%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 13,961
- total housing units
Averaged across 31 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Compton in the regional index
How Compton places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where home prices go furthest
Ranks #20 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where rent goes furthest
Ranks #49 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Cheap rent without needing a car
Ranks #73 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Compton
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Compton?+
Yes. There is minimal public transit, and no rail stations serve the city. A car is essential for getting to work, groceries, and most activities.
Is Compton walkable?+
Compton is walkable for some errands and a car is useful for others. You may find nearby coffee shops, restaurants, and grocery stores within walking distance of some apartments, but the city is not dense enough to walk everywhere comfortably.
What is the air quality like?+
Compton has moderate diesel PM exposure, ranking 232nd of 318 neighborhoods for air quality. It sits above the regional average for pollution, so those sensitive to air quality should keep this in mind.
What parks and recreation are nearby?+
Several parks serve the city, including Greenleaf Parkway, Oaks Park, Kelly Park, and South Park. Gyms like 24 Hour Fitness and LA Fitness are also available, though you will need to drive to most of them.
What is the average rent in Compton?+
Current residents of Compton pay a median rent of about $1,562 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Compton?+
Compton 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 Compton?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Compton are Gardena, Rosemead, Paramount and Wilmington.