Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Encino
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Encino
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 Encino scores for you
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Encino is a residential neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley known for its quiet, tree-lined streets and single-family home character. The area has a strong local identity anchored by landmarks like Los Encinos State Historic Park, which preserves the valley's ranching heritage. It draws families and professionals seeking space and stability in an established community.
New leases in Encino currently run about $4,435 per month, reflecting its position as one of the pricier neighborhoods in LA (rank 100 of 114). The neighborhood ranks 22nd overall across all factors measured, with particular strengths in tree canopy (rank 20) and amenities (rank 28), but notable exposure to traffic and limited public transit.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Encino centers on a car-dependent routine. You will need a vehicle for most errands, though some shopping and dining are reachable within a short walk. Coffee shops like Aurora Coffee & Creamery and restaurants such as Tel Aviv Grill and Poquito Más cluster along main corridors. Grocery options include Ralphs, Amazon Fresh, and specialty markets like Sabzee. Parks like San Vicente Mountain Park and Los Encinos State Historic Park offer green space nearby.
The neighborhood sits in a high-traffic corridor (rank 109 of 114), so commuting can be slow and air quality is moderate for California (rank 69 of 114). You will spend time on the freeway or surface streets to reach employment centers outside the Valley. The tree canopy is limited compared to neighboring areas like Woodland Hills and Brentwood, though still above the LA median, keeping the streetscape relatively open.
Who it's for
Encino fits professionals and families prioritizing a quiet, established residential feel and willing to accept a car-dependent lifestyle and higher rent. It appeals to those working in the San Fernando Valley or with flexible schedules who can navigate heavy traffic. The neighborhood works best for renters who value community stability and local amenities over transit access or urban walkability.
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: 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: limited tree cover, mostly open streetscape.
Less canopy means more heat exposure and less visual greenery on daily walks. LA County median is around 14% canopy coverage.
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 Encino
Population
33,002
Renters
41%
of households rent
Median age
45
Median income
$123k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Encino
4 public schools sit inside this area · 4 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy for Enriched Sciences Elementary | K-5 | 81% | 78% |
| Encino Charter ElementaryCharter Elementary | K-5 | 68% | 69% |
| Hesby Oaks Leadership AcademyCharter Elementary | K-8 | 79% | 70% |
| Lanai Road Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 85% | 81% |
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 Encino
Amazon Fresh · Everfresh Marketplace · Gelson's · Ralphs
Aurora Coffee & Creamery · Starbucks · The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Anarbagh · Ara's Shawarma · Blinkie's · Buca di Beppo
Balboa Sports Center · Caballero Creek Park (Proposed) · Corn Maze · Encino Park
Pure Pilates · Zoo Culture Gym
Check your commute from Encino
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Encino
What the census says about Encino
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Encino; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 39 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 68%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1964
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 4%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 6%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 96%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 66%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 10,417
- total housing units
Averaged across 16 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Encino in the regional index
How Encino places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #28 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Encino
Found a place you like? Score it against your priorities to see how well any address fits your budget and commute.
Frequently asked questions
Is there public transit in Encino?+
No Metro rail stations serve Encino, and bus service is minimal (rank 37 of 114). A car is strongly recommended for getting around the neighborhood and reaching destinations outside it.
How walkable is Encino?+
It is somewhat walkable for errands (rank 85 of 114), meaning you can reach some coffee shops, restaurants, and parks on foot, but a car is needed for most shopping and services. The open streetscape and low density make longer walks less appealing.
What is the rent range in Encino?+
New leases average about $4,435 per month. Current residents pay a median of $2,762 (which includes long-term and stabilized tenants), but you should budget from the asking rent. Studios run about $1,484 and 3-bedrooms about $3,501 for current residents, with new lease prices higher across the board.
How is traffic and air quality?+
Traffic is heavy (rank 109 of 114), making commutes slow. Air quality is moderate for California (rank 69 of 114), with notable diesel particulate exposure. If commuting outside the Valley or sensitive to air quality, this is a real tradeoff to consider.
Is Encino walkable?+
Encino ranks #188 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Encino?+
A new lease in Encino typically asks around $4,435 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $2,762 (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 Encino?+
Encino 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 Encino?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Encino are Beverly Hills, Woodland Hills, Ladera Heights and Pasadena.