Los Angeles neighborhood guide
East Los Angeles
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in East Los Angeles
Rent control: East Los Angeleshas 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 East Los Angeles scores for you
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East Los Angeles is an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, a densely populated area bordered by Monterey Park, the city of Los Angeles, Commerce, and Montebello. Home to about 118,786 residents, it sits at the intersection of State Route 60 and Interstate 710, making it a central East County location with strong road access but limited public transit options.
The community has a working-class, urban character with a strong Hispanic heritage. You will find family-owned restaurants, markets, and neighborhood gathering spaces throughout. While not a tourist destination, it is a lived-in neighborhood where many residents have deep roots and where the pace of daily life is distinctly local.
Living here
Day-to-day life in East Los Angeles centers on neighborhood essentials within a short walk. You can find coffee shops, taquerias, grocery stores, and parks nearby, though you will need a car for many errands and longer trips. The community ranks 162nd of 319 for walkability, about the same as the regional average, meaning some errands are doable on foot but others require driving.
Air quality is a real consideration here. East Los Angeles ranks 290th of 318 for air quality, with high diesel PM exposure from the nearby freeways and industrial corridor. Traffic on the major routes is above average for the region, though less congested than some inner-city corridors. Public transit is minimal, with no rail stations nearby and bus service limited compared to closer-in neighborhoods, so owning a car is strongly recommended.
Who it's for
East Los Angeles works best for renters seeking an affordable, car-dependent urban neighborhood with strong community ties and family-oriented amenities. It suits multigenerational households, families on a budget, and those with jobs in East County. If you need walkability to most errands, robust public transit, or air quality as a priority, you will find better options closer to downtown or in neighborhoods further from the freeway corridor.
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: 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 East Los Angeles
Population
110,255
Renters
65%
of households rent
Median age
34
Median income
$66k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in East Los Angeles
38 public schools sit inside this area · 34 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amanecer Primary Center Elementary | K-2 | — | — |
| Arts In Action Community CharterCharter Elementary | K-5 | 27% | 23% |
| Belvedere Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 29% | 20% |
| Brooklyn Avenue Elementary | K-8 | 52% | 42% |
| City Terrace Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 57% | 59% |
| Evergreen Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 37% | 30% |
| Ford Boulevard Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 44% | 46% |
| Fourth Street Elementary Elementary | 2-5 | 30% | 25% |
| Fourth Street Primary Center Elementary | K-1 | — | — |
| Harrison Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 24% | 24% |
| Humphreys Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 47% | 38% |
| Joseph A. Gascon Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 33% | 27% |
| KIPP Iluminar AcademyCharter Elementary | K-4 | 42% | 46% |
| KIPP Raices AcademyCharter Elementary | K-4 | 45% | 57% |
| Marianna Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 34% | 33% |
| Montebello Park Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 35% | 26% |
| Morris K. Hamasaki Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 51% | 49% |
| Robert F. Kennedy Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 35% | 35% |
| Rowan Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 33% | 28% |
| William R. Anton Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 39% | 40% |
| Winter Gardens Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 17% | 15% |
| Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 8Charter Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 44% | 30% |
| Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter MiddleCharter Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 51% | 32% |
| Arts in Action Community MiddleCharter Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 29% | 14% |
| Belvedere Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 37% | 25% |
| Eastmont Intermediate Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 41% | 21% |
| Griffith Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 46% | 25% |
| KIPP Academy of InnovationCharter Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 5-8 | 39% | 24% |
| KIPP Sol AcademyCharter Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 5-8 | — | — |
| Alfonso B. Perez Special Education Center High School | 12 | — | — |
| Alliance Marc & Eva Stern Math and ScienceCharter High School | 9-12 | 75% | 37% |
| Alliance Morgan McKinzie HighCharter High School | 9-12 | 60% | 42% |
| East Los Angeles Renaissance Academy at Esteban E. Torres High No. 2 High School | 9-12 | 45% | 11% |
| Ednovate - Esperanza College PrepCharter High School | 9-12 | 81% | 39% |
| Esteban Torres East LA Performing Arts Magnet High School | 9-12 | 40% | 16% |
| Humanitas Academy of Art and Technology at Esteban E. Torres High No. 4 High School | 9-12 | 45% | 7% |
| L.A. County High School for the Arts High School | 9-12 | 89% | 42% |
| Social Justice Leadership Academy Magnet at Esteban E. Torres High No 5 High School | 9-12 | 74% | 22% |
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 East Los Angeles
El Super · Sara's Market · Superior Grocers
La Terraza Cafe · Starbucks · Yia Caffe
1st Street Burgers · Birria Los Socios · Burger King · Denny's
arque De Los Sueños City Park · Atlantic Avenue Park · Belvedere Park · City Terrace Park
Check your commute from East Los Angeles
Enter your work (or any) address for real travel times from this neighborhood.
Similar neighborhoods
Vermont Vista
~$2,485/mo
#99 of 346 for walkability
Boyle Heights
~$2,357/mo
#81 of 346 for walkability
Broadway-Manchester
~$2,545/mo
#85 of 346 for walkability
Adams-Normandie
~$2,289/mo
#27 of 346 for walkability
Next to East Los Angeles
What the census says about East Los Angeles
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe East Los Angeles; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 33 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 82%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1951
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 23%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 5%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 86%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 57%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 10,289
- total housing units
Averaged across 22 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
East Los Angeles in the regional index
How East Los Angeles places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where rent goes furthest
Ranks #26 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Cheap rent without needing a car
Ranks #28 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where home prices go furthest
Ranks #38 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in East Los Angeles
Found a place you like? Score it against your priorities to see how well any address fits your budget and commute.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car to live in East Los Angeles?+
Yes, a car is strongly recommended. While some errands like groceries and coffee are within a short walk, public transit is minimal and there are no rail stations nearby. Most people drive for work, shopping, and getting around the region.
What is the air quality like?+
Air quality is a concern. East Los Angeles ranks 290th of 318 for air quality statewide, with high diesel PM exposure from proximity to Interstates 60 and 710 and the industrial corridor. This is important to consider if you or anyone in your household has respiratory sensitivity.
What kinds of restaurants and shops are nearby?+
You will find taquerias, small markets, and casual dining within a short walk, including places like Tamales Lilianas, El Super, and Sara's Market. The food scene leans toward authentic Mexican and Central American cuisine, reflecting the community's character.
Is East Los Angeles more affordable than other parts of LA County?+
Rent data is not available for East Los Angeles in our database, so we cannot confirm pricing relative to other areas. Contact local landlords or use rental sites for current lease rates in the community.
Is East Los Angeles walkable?+
East Los Angeles ranks #94 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in East Los Angeles?+
Current residents of East Los Angeles pay a median rent of about $1,398 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in East Los Angeles?+
East Los Angeles has high diesel PM exposure, top quartile in California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 87 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to East Los Angeles?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to East Los Angeles are Vermont Vista, Boyle Heights, Broadway-Manchester and Adams-Normandie.