Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Highland Park
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Highland Park
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 Highland Park scores for you
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Highland Park is a historic Northeast Los Angeles neighborhood that was among the city's earliest subdivisions. It has evolved into a diverse community with a mix of architectural styles, local shops, and a genuine neighborhood feel that distinguishes it from more polished parts of the city.
The area sits along the Metro A Line, with three stations directly in or immediately adjacent to the neighborhood (Southwest Museum, Highland Park, and Heritage Square / Arroyo). This connection to downtown and other areas makes it accessible without a car, though the transit network here is limited compared to denser neighborhoods.
Today, Highland Park balances walkability with affordability relative to trendier LA enclaves. The neighborhood has a working neighborhood character with independent restaurants, cafes, and a growing arts scene, alongside established residential blocks where families and long-term renters have roots.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Highland Park centers on local streets and small commercial pockets. You can walk to a decent range of restaurants and cafes within a short distance, and parks like Garvanza Park and Sycamore Grove offer green space, though tree cover is sparse compared to other LA neighborhoods. Grocery shopping is feasible on foot at several markets, and you will find gyms, yoga studios, and other fitness options nearby.
Traffic here is lighter than the LA average, and air quality is better than much of the city, which helps the everyday experience. However, you will need a car for many errands and activities outside the immediate neighborhood. Parking is generally available and less competitive than in denser areas, making car ownership less stressful than in places like Los Feliz.
Who it's for
Highland Park works well for renters who want neighborhood character and local flavor without premium prices, and who don't mind relying on a car for frequent trips. It suits people drawn to emerging cultural scenes, families looking for a less expensive foothold in LA, and anyone who values walkable blocks over flashy amenities. If you need frequent access to public transit or prefer minimal driving, look elsewhere; if you appreciate grit and authenticity over polish, this neighborhood has appeal.
Environment & livability
Air quality: below the California median for diesel PM exposure.
Air quality here is better than average for the state. Worth noting if you have respiratory sensitivities.
Traffic exposure: moderate traffic exposure, below the state median.
Traffic proximity here is better than average for California.
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.
Metro rail
2 stations inside Highland Park, 3 more nearby.
Who lives in Highland Park
Population
49,662
Renters
61%
of households rent
Median age
38
Median income
$86k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Highland Park
11 public schools sit inside this area · 11 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aldama Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 43% | 41% |
| Annandale Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 25% | 19% |
| Arroyo Seco Museum Science Elementary | K-8 | 63% | 50% |
| Buchanan Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 47% | 39% |
| Garvanza Elementary School Technology and Leadership Magnet Elementary | K-5 | 48% | 41% |
| Monte Vista Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 41% | 31% |
| Richard Riordan Primary Center Elementary | K-5 | 70% | 68% |
| San Pascual Elementary Science Technology Engineering Arts And Mathematics (STEAM) Magnet Elementary | K-5 | 45% | 48% |
| Yorkdale Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 35% | 33% |
| Luther Burbank Middle School Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math Magnet Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 45% | 41% |
| Benjamin Franklin Senior High Elementary-High Combination | 6-12 | 48% | 24% |
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 Highland Park
Cookbook · El Super · Food 4 Less · Grocery Outlet
Amara Kitchen · Antigua Bread · Cafe de Leche · Civil Coffee
Antojitos Mexicanos El Paisa · Birdie · Burger King · Burgerlords
Arroyo Seco Park · Cleland Avenue Bicentennial Park · Garvanza Park · Highland Park
Body Dada · Highland Park Crossfit · Kinship Yoga
Check your commute from Highland Park
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Highland Park
What the census says about Highland Park
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Highland Park; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 35 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 76%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1946
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 12%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 5%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 91%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 53%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 5,343
- total housing units
Averaged across 10 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Highland Park in the regional index
How Highland Park places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Low rent and clean air together
Ranks #5 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Tree cover, clean air, little traffic
Ranks #9 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Plenty nearby, easy to get around
Ranks #18 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Highland Park
Found a place you like? Score it against your priorities to see how well any address fits your budget and commute.
Frequently asked questions
What's the rent here, and how does it compare to the rest of LA?+
New leases are running about $2,634 per month on average as of May 2026. That ranks 44th of 114 LA neighborhoods, meaning it is more affordable than half the city but not the cheapest. One-bedrooms typically cost around $1,646 if you find older or rent-stabilized units, but budget from the higher figure if you are searching today.
Do I need a car in Highland Park?+
You can walk to many errands like groceries and coffee, but the neighborhood ranks 61st of 114 for transit access. The Metro A Line runs through Highland Park with three nearby stations, but service is limited compared to other parts of LA. A car is strongly recommended if you work outside the neighborhood or travel frequently.
How walkable is this neighborhood?+
Highland Park ranks 50th of 114 for walkability, slightly above the LA median. You can handle some errands on foot, especially in the more commercial areas near the Metro stations, but a car makes life noticeably easier for broader activities.
What is the air quality and traffic situation?+
Air quality here ranks 31st of 114 and is below the California median for diesel PM exposure, but cleaner than many parts of LA. Traffic ranks 9th of 114, meaning it is well below the state median, so you will experience notably lighter congestion than in most neighborhoods.
Is Highland Park walkable?+
Highland Park ranks #80 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Highland Park?+
A new lease in Highland Park typically asks around $2,634 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $1,758 (Census ACS), which includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants, so expect asking prices closer to the first number. Among 102 current listings on Saktoo, the median asking rent is $2,995.
Does Highland Park have Metro rail access?+
Yes. Highland Park has 2 Metro rail stations within its boundary (Southwest Museum, Highland Park), served by the Metro A Line.
How is the air quality in Highland Park?+
Highland Park has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 45 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Highland Park?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Highland Park are Los Feliz, Harvard Heights, Koreatown and East Hollywood.
How many apartments are available in Highland Park?+
Saktoo currently tracks 102 active listings in Highland Park, starting at $1,350 per month.