Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Culver City
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Rent in Culver City
Rent control: Culver Cityhas its own local rent-stabilization ordinance with protections beyond California's statewide cap (AB 1482). Check Culver City's rent board for the rules that apply to a specific building before signing.
General information, not legal advice.
How Culver City scores for you
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Culver City is a compact, independent city in Los Angeles County with a population of about 40,800. Incorporated in 1917, it sits mostly surrounded by Los Angeles but maintains its own identity as a walkable urban center with strong dining and entertainment options. The city punches above its weight for amenities, ranking 9th out of 371 comparable areas in the region for restaurants, gyms, coffee shops, and parks within a short walk.
The city's character is defined by density and convenience rather than sprawl. You can handle many daily errands on foot, though some trips will require a car. The tradeoff is exposure to high air pollution and traffic, which rank among the worst in the region. Tree cover is minimal at 4 percent, so expect a concrete-heavy streetscape.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Culver City revolves around walkable corridors with good restaurant and retail access. Within a short walk you'll find about 15 restaurants, 3-4 coffee shops, and 2-3 gyms on average. Grocery shopping is doable on foot, with chains like Trader Joe's and Pavilions available, though the selection per cell is modest at 1-2 stores nearby. Parks are limited (about 2 within walking distance), so outdoor recreation often means leaving the city.
Getting around without a car is difficult. There are no Metro rail stations in or immediately adjacent to Culver City, and transit access ranks 103rd out of 319 areas, well below the regional average. Most residents rely on cars for commuting and longer trips. Air quality is a real concern, ranking in the bottom 10 percent statewide for diesel PM exposure, and traffic is heavy. If you're sensitive to pollution or prefer transit-oriented living, this city presents real challenges.
Who it's for
Culver City works best for renters who prioritize walkable amenities and don't mind driving for transit access or longer trips. It suits professionals working locally, families seeking a compact urban feel with good restaurants and services, and those willing to accept higher air pollution and traffic in exchange for convenience. It's less ideal for anyone dependent on public transit, seeking car-free living, or with respiratory concerns.
Environment & livability
Air quality: high diesel PM exposure, top quartile in California.
Linked to elevated respiratory and cardiovascular risk in long-term residents. See the air quality flag for more detail.
Traffic exposure: high traffic corridor exposure.
This area is near major traffic corridors, linked to higher noise levels, diesel PM, and reduced street-level comfort.
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 Culver City
Population
33,293
Renters
42%
of households rent
Median age
42
Median income
$136k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Culver City
9 public schools sit inside this area · 8 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Marino Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 70% | 75% |
| El Rincon Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 67% | 61% |
| Farragut Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 79% | 71% |
| La Ballona Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 54% | 40% |
| Linwood E. Howe Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 74% | 69% |
| Culver City Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 61% | 47% |
| Culver City High High School | 9-12 | 68% | 43% |
| Culver Park High High School | 10-12 | 7% | 6% |
| Culver City Adult 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 Culver City
Co-opportunity Market · Erewhon · Pavilions · Ralphs
Allegra California Cafe · Blue Bottle Coffee · Boba Guys · Caffe Luxxe
5i Indochine · Afuri · Akasha · Arth Bar and Kitchen
Blair Hills Park · Blanco Park · Coombs Parkette · Doctor Paul Carlson Memorial Park
9 Round · A Tighter U · Alliance · Anytime Fitness
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Similar neighborhoods
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What the census says about Culver City
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Culver City; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 29 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 73%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1959
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 2%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 7%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 89%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 52%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 7,960
- total housing units
Averaged across 15 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Culver City in the regional index
How Culver City places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Plenty nearby, easy to get around
Ranks #47 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Culver City
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Culver City?+
Yes. There is no Metro rail service in or near the city, and transit ranks well below the regional average. A car is strongly recommended for commuting and most errands beyond the immediate walkable core.
What's the air quality like?+
Air quality is poor. Culver City ranks in the bottom 10 percent statewide for diesel particulate matter exposure and sits in a high-traffic corridor. This is a significant consideration if you have respiratory concerns or spend time outdoors regularly.
Can I walk to restaurants and shops?+
Yes, for dining and some retail. The city ranks 9th out of 371 areas for amenities density, with about 15 restaurants and 3-4 coffee shops within a short walk. Grocery stores and gyms are also available nearby, though tree cover is very limited.
What's the current rent?+
Current residents pay a median of about $2,588 per month, though that figure includes long-term and stabilized tenants. Active listings suggest new leases are running higher, around $3,795 for available units.
Is Culver City walkable?+
Culver City ranks #59 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Culver City?+
Current residents of Culver City pay a median rent of about $2,506 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher. Among 38 current listings on Saktoo, the median asking rent is $3,795.
How is the air quality in Culver City?+
Culver City has high diesel PM exposure, top quartile in California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 76 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Culver City?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Culver City are Westpark, Century City, El Camino Real and Old Towne Orange.
How many apartments are available in Culver City?+
Saktoo currently tracks 38 active listings in Culver City, starting at $1,845 per month.