Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Koreatown
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Koreatown
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 Koreatown scores for you
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Koreatown is a neighborhood in central Los Angeles, centered near Sixth and Alexandria streets. It has evolved into one of the city's most vibrant urban communities, known for its dense concentration of Korean restaurants, shops, and cultural institutions. The area pulses with activity, from late-night karaoke bars to daytime street markets and business districts that cater to both Korean and broader immigrant communities.
The neighborhood ranks in the top 1 percentile overall among LA's 114 neighborhoods, driven by exceptional amenity density and strong walkability. You will find about 20 restaurants, 6 to 7 coffee shops, and 2 groceries within a short walk of any given block. This is a place built for foot traffic and urban living, with a character shaped by commerce, diverse cuisines, and a constant hum of commercial and residential activity.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Koreatown revolves around eating well and getting around on foot or transit. Most errands can be done without a car, though you will encounter moderate air quality challenges (above the LA average for diesel particulate matter) and above-average traffic on major corridors like Wilshire and Western. The neighborhood is dense, concrete-heavy, and offers very limited tree cover, so summer heat is felt directly and outdoor cooling spots are scarce.
Four Metro rail stations serve the area: Vermont/Beverly Station, Wilshire/Vermont Station, Wilshire/Normandie Station, and Wilshire/Western Station, all on the B Line or D Line. Transit access ranks 13th out of 114 LA neighborhoods, so public transportation is viable for many commutes, though the frequency and coverage are still tighter than in some transit-rich areas. Most residents combine walking with occasional car or transit use.
Who it's for
Koreatown suits renters who crave walkable urban density, diverse food and cultural options, and don't mind noise, traffic, and a gritty concrete environment. It is ideal for people working along the Metro B or D Lines, those who eat out frequently, and anyone seeking an affordable entry point to a densely amenitized LA neighborhood. If you prioritize quiet, greenery, parking ease, or driving-lite commutes outside central LA, this is not the fit.
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: most daily errands can be done on foot.
High intersection density and destination access. The kind of area where a car is optional for daily life.
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
4 stations inside Koreatown, none further out worth noting.
Who lives in Koreatown
Population
91,278
Renters
93%
of households rent
Median age
37
Median income
$52k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Koreatown
20 public schools sit inside this area · 20 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambassador School-Global Education Elementary | K-5 | 27% | 19% |
| Cahuenga Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 49% | 51% |
| Camino Nuevo Charter Academy #2Charter Elementary | K-8 | 29% | 18% |
| Charles H. Kim Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 60% | 62% |
| Commonwealth Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 40% | 37% |
| Dr. Sammy Lee Medical and Health Science Magnet Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 59% | 62% |
| Everest ValueCharter Elementary | K-8 | 33% | 24% |
| Frank del Olmo Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 41% | 37% |
| Hobart Boulevard Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 28% | 22% |
| Vista Horizon Global AcademyCharter Elementary | K-5 | 26% | 19% |
| Wilshire Park Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 53% | 48% |
| Wilton Place Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 42% | 37% |
| Virgil Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 43% | 41% |
| Young Oak Kim Academy Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 39% | 24% |
| Camino Nuevo High #2Charter High School | 9-12 | 63% | 25% |
| Central City ValueCharter High School | 9-12 | 68% | 34% |
| Los Angeles High School of the Arts High School | 9-12 | 40% | 19% |
| Rise Kohyang HighCharter High School | 9-12 | 63% | 28% |
| Ambassador-Global Leadership Elementary-High Combination | 6-12 | 27% | 30% |
| New Open World Academy K-12 Elementary-High Combination | K-12 | 32% | 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 Koreatown
El Potrillo · El Super · Galleria Market · Galleria Market - Galleria Vermont
3Thyme · 6XS Coffee · 85°C · About Times
Ahgassi Gopchang · Alaska Seafood Restaurant · All You Can Eat Sushi and BBQ · All' Angolo
Bimini Slough Ecology Park · Robert F. Kennedy Inspiration Park · Seoul International Park · Shatto Recreation Center
24 Hour Fitness · K2 CrossFit
Check your commute from Koreatown
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Koreatown
What the census says about Koreatown
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Koreatown; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 35 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 59%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1960
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 21%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 8%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 93%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 7%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 1 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 7,495
- total housing units
Averaged across 9 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Koreatown in the regional index
How Koreatown places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Plenty nearby, easy to get around
Ranks #1 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Cheap rent without needing a car
Ranks #2 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where rent goes furthest
Ranks #8 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Koreatown
Found a place you like? Score it against your priorities to see how well any address fits your budget and commute.
Frequently asked questions
How much does rent cost in Koreatown?+
New lease asking rent averages about $2,298 as of May 2026, ranking 23rd of 114 LA neighborhoods. Current residents pay a median of $1,504, but that figure includes long-term and stabilized tenants. Budget from the asking rent if you are moving in today. Actively listed units have a median asking price of $1,600, ranging down to $780.
Is Koreatown walkable?+
Yes. Koreatown ranks 17th of 114 in walkability with a score of 0.80, well above the LA average of 0.70. Most daily errands can be done on foot, and you will rarely need a car for groceries, dining, or coffee. However, the neighborhood is also dense and concrete-dominated, with minimal shade and significant foot traffic during peak hours.
What is the transit situation?+
Koreatown has four Metro stations within the neighborhood: Vermont/Beverly, Wilshire/Vermont, Wilshire/Normandie, and Wilshire/Western, all on the B or D Lines. Transit access ranks 13th of 114, so it is viable for commuting but not comprehensive. Many residents combine metro rides with walking and occasional car or rideshare use.
What is the air quality and environment like?+
Air quality ranks 82nd of 114, with moderate diesel PM exposure above the LA average. Tree canopy is very sparse at 2 percent, so the neighborhood feels exposed and hot, especially in summer. Traffic is above average on major corridors, contributing to both congestion and air quality challenges. This is an urban trade-off zone with fewer green, quiet pockets.
What is the average rent in Koreatown?+
A new lease in Koreatown typically asks around $2,298 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $1,504 (Census ACS), which includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants, so expect asking prices closer to the first number. Among 43 current listings on Saktoo, the median asking rent is $1,600.
Does Koreatown have Metro rail access?+
Yes. Koreatown has 4 Metro rail stations within its boundary (Vermont / Beverly, Wilshire / Vermont, Wilshire / Normandie), served by the Metro B Line, Metro D Line.
How is the air quality in Koreatown?+
Koreatown has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 71 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Koreatown?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Koreatown are East Hollywood, Hollywood, Chinatown and Pico-Union.
How many apartments are available in Koreatown?+
Saktoo currently tracks 43 active listings in Koreatown, starting at $780 per month.