Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Lake Balboa
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Lake Balboa
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 Lake Balboa scores for you
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Lake Balboa is a quiet, car-dependent neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley, named for the nearby Sepulveda Basin and its recreational areas. The neighborhood is residential and low-density, characterized by single-family homes and small apartment buildings spread across tree-lined streets. It's a working neighborhood with a practical feel, not a destination for nightlife or trendy retail.
The area offers basic services within a reasonable distance. You'll find grocery stores like Ralphs and Food 4 Less, casual restaurants including El Pollo Loco and El Tijuanense, and parks like Jesse Owens Park and Louise Park for outdoor recreation. Most daily needs are manageable by car, and some errands can be done on foot depending on where you live within the neighborhood.
Living here
Lake Balboa is best described as suburban and practical. Traffic is above average by LA standards (ranks 18th of 114), so commuting on major corridors during peak hours means delays. The neighborhood has very limited tree cover (2.3 percent, compared to an LA average of 6.2 percent), which means hot summers and little shade on sidewalks. Air quality is below the California median for diesel particulate exposure, a consideration if you're sensitive to pollution. In exchange, rents are moderate: new leases average about $2,218 per month, roughly at the LA median.
Day-to-day life here revolves around the car. There is no rail transit nearby, and walkability is just below the LA average. You can walk to some errands and amenities within a short distance, but you will need a car for grocery runs, commuting, and most activities. The neighborhood is quieter and more spacious than denser parts of LA, which appeals to renters who prioritize calm and affordability over walkability and urban amenities.
Who it's for
Lake Balboa suits renters who need affordable housing in a calm, residential setting and have reliable access to a car. It works well for families seeking space, workers commuting out of the Valley, or anyone prioritizing a quieter neighborhood over walking distance to restaurants and shops. If you rely on public transit or want walkable urban amenities, this area will feel limiting.
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: 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 Lake Balboa
Population
27,127
Renters
36%
of households rent
Median age
40
Median income
$95k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Lake Balboa
8 public schools sit inside this area · 8 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anatola Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 39% | 32% |
| Gault Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 39% | 33% |
| Lemay Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 50% | 48% |
| Lorne Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 52% | 43% |
| Stagg Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 57% | 50% |
| William Mulholland Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 40% | 28% |
| Independence Continuation High School | 9-12 | 24% | 6% |
| Lake Balboa College Preparatory Magnet K-12 Elementary-High Combination | K-12 | 57% | 46% |
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 Lake Balboa
Food 4 Less · Greenland Market · Q Market & Produce · Ralphs
Starbucks
Bar Uerukamu · Big Fat Hamburger's · Chop Shop Butcher & Grill · Del Taco
Jesse Owens Park · Louise Park · Quad
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What the census says about Lake Balboa
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Lake Balboa; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 36 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 76%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1960
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 7%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 3%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 94%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 76%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 4,530
- total housing units
Averaged across 10 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Lake Balboa in the regional index
How Lake Balboa places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- The areas with no affordable escape from pollution
Ranks #68 of 262 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Lake Balboa
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Frequently asked questions
What is transit like in Lake Balboa?+
There is no rail transit in or near the neighborhood. Public bus service exists but is minimal, so Lake Balboa is not a good fit for transit-dependent renters. A car is strongly recommended.
Is Lake Balboa walkable?+
It's walkable for some errands, with a score just below the LA average. You can reach some grocery stores, restaurants, and parks on foot, but you will need a car for most daily activities and commuting. The very limited tree cover (2.3 percent) also makes walking less comfortable in summer heat.
How much does rent cost in Lake Balboa?+
New leases average about $2,218 per month, placing the neighborhood near the LA median rent. A one-bedroom runs around $1,843 and a two-bedroom around $2,390 (current resident medians). Rents have risen about 3.5 percent year-over-year.
What are the air quality and traffic conditions?+
Air quality is below the California median for diesel particulate exposure (ranks 21st of 114 neighborhoods), a factor if you have respiratory sensitivity. Traffic is above average, with the neighborhood ranking 18th of 114 in traffic corridor exposure, so expect congestion during commute times on major streets.
What is the average rent in Lake Balboa?+
A new lease in Lake Balboa typically asks around $2,218 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $2,196 (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 Lake Balboa?+
Lake Balboa has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 40 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Lake Balboa?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Lake Balboa are Charter Oak, Covina, Sepulveda Basin and Midway City.