Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Fullerton
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Fullerton
Rent control: Fullertonhas 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 Fullerton scores for you
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Fullerton is a city in northern Orange County with a population of about 144,000. This part of the county is suburban and car-dependent, with a mix of single-family homes, apartment complexes, and commercial corridors. You'll find the bones of a walkable downtown area, but most daily life requires driving.
Living here
Getting around Fullerton means relying on a car for most trips. While some neighborhoods have grocery stores and restaurants within walking distance, there is no rail transit nearby, and bus service is sparse. Traffic is above average for the region, and air quality ranks in the moderate range for Southern California, with notable diesel particulate exposure. Tree cover is very limited, so summer heat and street-level exposure are noticeable.
Who it's for
Fullerton works best for renters who are comfortable driving everywhere and don't depend on public transit. It appeals to people working in Orange County, families seeking suburban stability at moderate rents, and anyone prioritizing affordable housing over walkability or environmental amenities. If you need frequent transit access, very clean air, or extensive tree cover, 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 Fullerton
Population
72,945
Renters
52%
of households rent
Median age
36
Median income
$102k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Fullerton
14 public schools sit inside this area · 14 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edison (Thomas) Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 28% | 21% |
| Fern Drive Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 46% | 47% |
| James A. Whitaker Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 25% | 27% |
| Maple Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 29% | 24% |
| Melrose Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 29% | 27% |
| Orangethorpe Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 38% | 25% |
| Pacific Drive Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 40% | 29% |
| Richman Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 41% | 40% |
| Robert C. Fisler Elementary Elementary | K-8 | 89% | 86% |
| Sunset Lane Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 71% | 67% |
| Valencia Park Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 31% | 22% |
| Woodcrest Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 29% | 20% |
| D. Russell Parks Junior High Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 7-8 | 73% | 62% |
| Nicolas Junior High Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 7-8 | 37% | 20% |
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 Fullerton
Albertsons · ALDI · Amazon Fresh · Sprouts Farmers Market
525 Coffee Co · Green Bliss Cafe · Intentional Coffee · Kawaii Boba
All About Pho · Bag o' Crab · Blaze Pizza · Broken Yolk Cafe
Adlena Park · Amerige Park · Bastanchury Park · Edward H. White II Park
24 Hour Fitness · Club Pilates · Gold's Gym · P3 Elite Women's Gym
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Fullerton
What the census says about Fullerton
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Fullerton; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 33 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 72%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1968
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 15%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 3%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 92%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 56%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 16,804
- total housing units
Averaged across 36 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Finding a place in Fullerton
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Frequently asked questions
Is Fullerton walkable?+
Fullerton is walkable for some errands but a car is useful for others. It ranks 92nd of 319 areas surveyed, slightly above the regional average. Downtown pockets have coffee shops, restaurants, and gyms within a short walk, but you will need a car for grocery shopping and most longer trips.
How is public transit here?+
Public transit is minimal in Fullerton. There are no Metro rail stations nearby, and bus service is limited. If you do not drive, this area will be very difficult to navigate. A car is strongly recommended.
What is the rental cost?+
Current residents pay a median rent of around $1,874 per month. Fullerton ranks 62nd of 210 surveyed areas for rent, putting it in the lower-to-middle range for Orange County and Southern California overall.
What is the air quality like?+
Air quality is moderate for California, with above-average diesel particulate matter exposure. Fullerton ranks 243rd of 318 areas surveyed. If air quality or environmental health is a priority, you may want to consider areas with better ratings or more tree cover.
What is the average rent in Fullerton?+
Current residents of Fullerton pay a median rent of about $2,086 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Fullerton?+
Fullerton has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 62 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Fullerton?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Fullerton are Torrance, San Gabriel, Orange and Burbank.