Los Angeles neighborhood guide
East Santa Ana
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in East Santa Ana
Rent control: Santa Anahas its own local rent-stabilization ordinance with protections beyond California's statewide cap (AB 1482). Check Santa Ana's rent board for the rules that apply to a specific building before signing.
General information, not legal advice.
How East Santa Ana scores for you
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East Santa Ana sits in the eastern part of Santa Ana, a dense urban area characterized by straightforward residential blocks, local commerce, and a working-class character. The neighborhood is more walkable than it might appear at first glance, with grocery stores, restaurants, and coffee shops scattered throughout, though you will still need a car for many trips. It ranks in the middle of the region for walkability and sits below the regional average for tree cover and transit access, making it a practical choice for renters seeking an affordable location in Orange County.
Living here
Day-to-day life here centers on getting around by car. There is no rail transit nearby, and the neighborhood ranks 230th of 319 across the region for transit access, so owning or having reliable transportation is essential. Within a short walk you will find about 3.6 restaurants, 1.6 coffee spots, 1.5 grocery stores, and a handful of parks including Maple Occidental Exercise Park and Madison Park. The area sits in a moderate traffic corridor and ranks 162nd of 317 for traffic exposure, meaning congestion is above average but not extreme.
Who it's for
East Santa Ana works best for renters who prioritize affordability and don't mind driving for most errands. It suits people working in Orange County who want to minimize commute costs, families looking for space at a lower price point, and anyone comfortable with a less green, more utilitarian urban setting. If you rely on public transit or strongly prefer walkable neighborhoods with plenty of shade and greenery, this area will feel constraining.
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 East Santa Ana
Population
161,810
Renters
59%
of households rent
Median age
31
Median income
$83k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in East Santa Ana
44 public schools sit inside this area · 42 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 24% | 15% |
| Edward B. Cole AcademyCharter Elementary | K-5 | 33% | 27% |
| El Sol Santa Ana Science and Arts AcademyCharter Elementary | K-8 | 50% | 42% |
| Franklin Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 15% | 16% |
| Garfield Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 26% | 20% |
| Heroes Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 27% | 24% |
| John F. Kennedy Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 31% | 24% |
| Lowell Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 14% | 15% |
| Madison Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 30% | 23% |
| Manuel Esqueda Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 24% | 15% |
| Martin Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 32% | 25% |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 19% | 14% |
| Martin R. Heninger Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 31% | 17% |
| Monroe Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 20% | 20% |
| Monte Vista Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 29% | 19% |
| Orange County Educational Arts AcademyCharter Elementary | K-8 | 49% | 33% |
| Pio Pico Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 13% | 10% |
| Robert Heideman Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 28% | 29% |
| Roosevelt Walker Academy Elementary | K-5 | 23% | 15% |
| Scholarship Prep - Orange CountyCharter Elementary | K-8 | 41% | 32% |
| Thomas A. Edison Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 31% | 21% |
| Virginia & William Guzman Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 45% | 32% |
| Vista Condor Global AcademyCharter Elementary | K-5 | 23% | 17% |
| Wallace R. Davis Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 32% | 25% |
| Washington Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 28% | 20% |
| Wilson Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 37% | 32% |
| Julia C. Lathrop Intermediate Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 22% | 11% |
| Raymond A. Villa Fundamental Intermediate Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 33% | 11% |
| Vista Heritage Global AcademyCharter Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 32% | 14% |
| Willard Intermediate Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 14% | 7% |
| Century High High School | 9-12 | 33% | 17% |
| Cesar E. Chavez High High School | 10-12 | 13% | 1% |
| Hector G. Godinez High School | 9-12 | 65% | 32% |
| Lorin Griset Academy High School | 11-12 | 12% | 2% |
| Nova Academy Early College HighCharter High School | 9-12 | 32% | 2% |
| OCSACharter High School | 7-12 | 84% | 70% |
| REACH Academy High School | 8-12 | 6% | 6% |
| Samueli AcademyCharter High School | 7-12 | 52% | 26% |
| Santa Ana High High School | 9-12 | 42% | 15% |
| Valley High High School | 9-12 | 39% | 20% |
| Vista Meridian Global AcademyCharter High School | 9-12 | 24% | 0% |
| Magnolia Science Academy Santa AnaCharter Elementary-High Combination | K-12 | 50% | 42% |
| NOVA Academy OCCharter Elementary-High Combination | No Data | — | — |
| Santa Ana Unified Adult Transition 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 East Santa Ana
Big Saver Foods · Commercial Nutrition Mexicana · El Super · Food 4 Less
Boba Junkie · King Water & Juice · La Michoacana Premium · Starbucks
4th Street Market · Alberto's Mexican Food · Burger King · Cancun Juice Fresh Mex Grill
Angels Community Park · Birch Park · Chepa's Park · Delhi Park
Barbells for Boobs Academy
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What the census says about East Santa Ana
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe East Santa Ana; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 26 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 77%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1962
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 34%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 2%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 89%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 49%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 19,293
- total housing units
Averaged across 38 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Finding a place in East Santa Ana
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Frequently asked questions
How much does rent typically cost here?+
Current residents pay around $1,803 per month, which ranks 54th of 210 areas across the region, placing it well below the regional average of $2,292. This makes East Santa Ana one of the more affordable parts of Orange County.
Do I need a car to live here?+
Yes. The area ranks 230th of 319 for transit access, meaning public transportation is minimal. A car is essential for most daily trips, including work, grocery shopping, and leisure activities.
What is the air quality and tree cover like?+
The neighborhood has very limited tree cover at 6.6 percent compared to a regional average of 7.9 percent, making it predominantly concrete and exposed. Air quality ranks 217th of 318, reflecting moderate diesel particulate exposure typical for an industrial-adjacent urban area in California.
How walkable is East Santa Ana for daily errands?+
The area is walkable for some errands, with decent access to restaurants and grocery stores, but ranks 122nd of 319 for overall walkability. You can handle certain tasks on foot, but most trips require a car.
Is East Santa Ana walkable?+
East Santa Ana ranks #145 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in East Santa Ana?+
Current residents of East Santa Ana pay a median rent of about $1,803 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in East Santa Ana?+
East Santa Ana has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 63 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to East Santa Ana?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to East Santa Ana are Arlington Heights, Westlake, South Park and Cudahy.