Los Angeles neighborhood guide
North Hollywood
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in North Hollywood
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 North Hollywood scores for you
Checking your quiz profile…
Score North Hollywood your way
Drag a slider to say how much each thing matters to you. The score updates live.
Want the real thing? Take the full quiz to factor in your budget and commute and rank North Hollywood against every neighborhood.
North Hollywood, or NoHo as locals call it, sits in the San Fernando Valley and has built a real identity around the NoHo Arts District. The neighborhood centers on creative spaces, galleries, and cultural venues like the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the historic El Portal Theater. It's a working neighborhood that feels removed from tourist LA, anchored by the North Hollywood Metro Station, the northern terminus of the B Line.
The area has enough foot traffic to support restaurants and cafes, and you'll find bars and music venues that draw people from across the Valley. Housing stock ranges from older apartment buildings to newer complexes, and rents here sit below the LA median, making it accessible without sacrificing proximity to the city.
Walk-ability is decent for daily errands, though you'll want a car for anything beyond a few blocks. The neighborhood trades tree cover and air quality for relative affordability and cultural character.
Living here
Day-to-day life revolves around neighborhood strips and a fairly pedestrian-friendly commercial core. You can handle groceries, coffee, and casual meals on foot, with options like Vallarta Market, Groundworks Coffee, and spots like Swinging Door and Victorio's within a short walk. North Hollywood Park and the Recreation Center give you outdoor space, though the area is concrete-heavy with very limited tree canopy.
Traffic and air quality are both moderate concerns. You're looking at above-average vehicle exposure on main corridors, and diesel PM levels are moderate for California. The B Line Metro connection is real and useful for downtown trips, but the neighborhood itself has minimal transit coverage, so a car is strongly recommended for most errands and getting around the Valley.
Who it's for
North Hollywood works best for renters who want walkable amenities, cultural engagement, and Valley affordability without needing car-light living. The arts district appeal attracts creative professionals, students, and people working in film or television. If you can manage with one car and don't mind moderate traffic exposure, and you value local galleries and indie venues over big-box convenience, this neighborhood delivers solid value.
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.
Metro rail
1 station inside North Hollywood, none further out worth noting.
Who lives in North Hollywood
Population
61,347
Renters
73%
of households rent
Median age
36
Median income
$67k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in North Hollywood
10 public schools sit inside this area · 10 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 40% | 44% |
| Fair Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 35% | 32% |
| ISANA Palmati AcademyCharter Elementary | K-8 | 65% | 55% |
| Lankershim Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 26% | 29% |
| Maurice Sendak Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 36% | 33% |
| Oxnard Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 40% | 34% |
| Victory Boulevard Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 47% | 45% |
| Roy Romer Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 36% | 22% |
| Amelia Earhart Continuation High School | 11-12 | 18% | 0% |
| Science Academy STEM Magnet Elementary-High Combination | 6-12 | 98% | 98% |
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 North Hollywood
Amazon Fresh · DNA Gates and Fences · Ralphs · Target
Caravana · Eat · Groundworks Coffee Co. · Moby's Coffee & Tea
Aki Shabu · Andy's Tacos · Barnrau Thai Halal · Carl's Jr.
North Hollywood Park · North Hollywood Recreation Center · Tiara Street Park · Valley Plaza Park
Crossfit Training Yard · LA Fitness · OrangeTheory
Check your commute from North Hollywood
Enter your work (or any) address for real travel times from this neighborhood.
Similar neighborhoods
Next to North Hollywood
What the census says about North Hollywood
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe North Hollywood; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 33 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 70%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1964
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 15%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 8%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 94%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 33%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 10,836
- total housing units
Averaged across 18 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
North Hollywood in the regional index
How North Hollywood places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- The areas with no affordable escape from pollution
Ranks #22 of 262 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Cheap rent without needing a car
Ranks #45 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where rent goes furthest
Ranks #58 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in North Hollywood
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 North Hollywood?+
New leases run about $2,625 per month on average as of May 2026, which ranks below the LA median. Studio and one-bedroom units start lower, around $1,650-$1,700, while two-bedrooms average $2,130.
Do I need a car in North Hollywood?+
Yes, a car is strongly recommended. The B Line Metro Station is nearby and useful for downtown trips, but the neighborhood has minimal overall transit coverage. Most errands beyond the immediate commercial strip require a vehicle.
Is North Hollywood walkable?+
It's walkable for some errands, ranking 37th of 114 LA neighborhoods. You can handle coffee, groceries, and meals on foot in the core areas, but you'll need a car for shopping, dining variety, or getting around the wider Valley.
What's the air quality and traffic like?+
Traffic exposure is above average for LA, and air quality is moderate with moderate diesel PM exposure. Both rank in the middle of LA neighborhoods, so expect typical Valley conditions rather than exceptional or notably poor air.
What is the NoHo Arts District?+
The NoHo Arts District is a cluster of galleries, performance venues, and creative spaces centered on the neighborhood, including the historic El Portal Theater and various art galleries. It gives the area a distinct cultural draw beyond typical Valley residential amenities.
What is the average rent in North Hollywood?+
A new lease in North Hollywood typically asks around $2,625 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $1,719 (Census ACS), which includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants, so expect asking prices closer to the first number.
Does North Hollywood have Metro rail access?+
Yes. North Hollywood has 1 Metro rail station within its boundary (North Hollywood), served by the Metro B Line.
How is the air quality in North Hollywood?+
North Hollywood has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 60 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to North Hollywood?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to North Hollywood are Inglewood, Van Nuys, Valley Glen and West Anaheim.