Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Lincoln Heights
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Lincoln Heights
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 Lincoln Heights scores for you
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Lincoln Heights is one of LA's oldest neighborhoods, originally called East Los Angeles until 1917. It's a densely populated, mostly Latino and Asian community with a rich history and many landmark buildings that reflect its character as what locals once knew as the Bedroom of the Pueblo. Today it sits near Downtown, close enough to Union Station and multiple Metro lines to feel connected to the broader city.
The neighborhood is highly walkable, ranking 20th out of 114 LA neighborhoods. Most daily errands can be done on foot, and you'll find about 5 restaurants, 2 parks, and 1-2 grocery stores within a short walk. However, transit access is minimal, and you'll want a car to get around reliably. Air quality is moderate with diesel PM exposure above the LA average, and traffic exposure is high for the region.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Lincoln Heights revolves around its walkable, built-up streetscape where you can handle groceries, food, and basic services without leaving the neighborhood. The community is active and rooted, with parks like the Lincoln Heights Recreation Center and the Ed P. Reyes River Greenway serving as gathering spaces. You'll notice the area has very limited tree cover, making it feel concrete-heavy, and air quality reflects highway and diesel exposure typical of this part of the city.
While you can walk to most errands, owning a car is strongly recommended since public transit access is sparse and not reliable for daily commutes. Rents here have grown about 5.5 percent year-over-year, and new leases run around $2,397 per month, placing Lincoln Heights among the most affordable neighborhoods in LA (rank 3 of 114). The tradeoff is environmental exposure and minimal green space.
Who it's for
Lincoln Heights suits renters looking for affordability, walkable neighborhood life, and proximity to Downtown LA without premium prices. It's a good fit if you have a car and don't prioritize air quality or tree cover, and if you're drawn to a densely settled, established Latino and Asian community. If you need excellent transit, abundant parks, or low pollution exposure, you'll want to look elsewhere.
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: 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
1 station inside Lincoln Heights, 5 more nearby.
Who lives in Lincoln Heights
Population
14,158
Renters
73%
of households rent
Median age
37
Median income
$53k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Lincoln Heights
9 public schools sit inside this area · 9 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albion Street Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 39% | 27% |
| El Rio CommunityCharter Elementary | K-7 | 58% | 41% |
| Gates Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 40% | 43% |
| Griffin Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 42% | 40% |
| Multnomah Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 65% | 61% |
| PUC Milagro CharterCharter Elementary | K-5 | 82% | 80% |
| Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology HighCharter High School | 9-12 | 74% | 30% |
| Ednovate - East College PrepCharter High School | 9-12 | 65% | 31% |
| Pueblo de Los Angeles Continuation High School | 9-12 | 13% | 7% |
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 Lincoln Heights
Big Saver Foods · Conchita Market · Smart & Final Extra!
B Twentyfour · Barbara's
Burro's Breakfast Burritos · Carl's Jr. · Carnitas Michoacan · Cena Vegan
Dodger's Dreamfield · Ed P. Reyes River Greenway · El Parque De Mexico · Ela Park
Check your commute from Lincoln Heights
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Similar neighborhoods
Willowbrook
#109 of 346 for walkability
Historic South-Central
~$2,462/mo
#37 of 346 for walkability
Boyle Heights
~$2,357/mo
#81 of 346 for walkability
Watts
~$2,550/mo
#66 of 346 for walkability
Next to Lincoln Heights
What the census says about Lincoln Heights
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Lincoln Heights; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 34 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 73%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1954
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 21%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 4%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 83%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 36%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 3,735
- total housing units
Averaged across 7 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Lincoln Heights in the regional index
How Lincoln Heights places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where rent goes furthest
Ranks #7 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Cheap rent without needing a car
Ranks #7 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- The areas with no affordable escape from pollution
Ranks #19 of 262 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Lincoln Heights
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Frequently asked questions
How much does rent cost in Lincoln Heights?+
New leases average $2,397 per month as of May 2026. That ranks among the 3 most affordable neighborhoods in LA. Current residents pay a median of $1,251, but that reflects long-term and stabilized tenants; budget from the asking rent if you're searching now.
Do I need a car here?+
Yes. While the neighborhood is very walkable for errands, transit access is minimal and not recommended as your primary commute option. A car is strongly recommended.
How is the air quality?+
Lincoln Heights has moderate diesel PM exposure, placing it at the 71st percentile for California (higher numbers mean worse air). The area sits near major traffic corridors, so it's not ideal if air quality is a priority.
What's the closest Metro station?+
Lincoln Heights / Cypress Park Station on the Metro A Line is within the neighborhood, and Union Station is about half a mile away with connections to the Metro B, D, and A lines.
Is Lincoln Heights walkable?+
Lincoln Heights ranks #25 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, most daily errands can be done on foot.
What is the average rent in Lincoln Heights?+
A new lease in Lincoln Heights typically asks around $2,397 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $1,251 (Census ACS), which includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants, so expect asking prices closer to the first number.
Does Lincoln Heights have Metro rail access?+
Yes. Lincoln Heights has 1 Metro rail station within its boundary (Lincoln Heights / Cypress Park), served by the Metro A Line, Metro B Line, Metro D Line, Metro E Line.
How is the air quality in Lincoln Heights?+
Lincoln Heights 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 Lincoln Heights?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Lincoln Heights are Willowbrook, Historic South-Central, Boyle Heights and Watts.