Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Pacific Palisades
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Pacific Palisades
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 Pacific Palisades scores for you
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Pacific Palisades is a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood about 20 miles west of downtown, known for its seclusion, hilly terrain, abundance of hiking trails, and a 3-mile stretch of coastline. Founded in 1921 by a Methodist organization, it has evolved into an upscale residential enclave with architecturally significant homes tucked among winding streets and parkland. The Mediterranean climate and lush canopy make it feel removed from the density and chaos of central LA.
Life here centers on the neighborhood's natural setting. You will spend time on neighborhood trails, at the beach, or driving to shops and restaurants since most errands require a car. The area is peaceful and family-oriented, with strong community institutions and good schools. Traffic is above average for the city, and there is no Metro rail access, so a personal vehicle is essential for getting around.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Pacific Palisades revolves around outdoor recreation and driving. Within a short walk you will find about 2 restaurants, 1-2 coffee shops, and a grocery store, but most dining and shopping requires a car. Hiking trails, parks including Palisades Recreation Center and Rustic Canyon Recreation Center, and beach access define leisure time here. The neighborhood ranks 25th of 114 for traffic exposure, meaning you will spend more time in your car than in many other LA neighborhoods.
The trade-off for car dependence is a genuinely quiet, green setting with good air quality (8th cleanest among LA neighborhoods) and moderate tree cover. Schools are well-regarded, and the community attracts families and professionals seeking space, privacy, and natural surroundings over walkability and convenience.
Who it's for
Pacific Palisades works for renters who prioritize outdoor access, quiet residential surroundings, and natural beauty over walkability and nightlife. It suits families with school-age children, outdoor enthusiasts who hike regularly, and anyone willing to rely on a car for most errands. The neighborhood is expensive (asking rent for new leases averages about $12,180 per month), so it is best for those with secure, comfortable incomes who value seclusion and space.
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: moderate tree cover for the area.
Some shade and green presence on most blocks, above average for dense urban LA neighborhoods.
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 Pacific Palisades
Population
17,572
Renters
19%
of households rent
Median age
46
Median income
$207k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Pacific Palisades
2 public schools sit inside this area · 2 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marquez CharterCharter Elementary | K-5 | 79% | 76% |
| Palisades Charter ElementaryCharter Elementary | K-5 | 86% | 81% |
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 Pacific Palisades
Erewhon · Gelson's
Cafe Luxxe · Café Vida · Coffee Kiosk · Palisades Garden Cafe
Chipotle · Domino's · Golden Bull · Noah's Bagels
Almar Plaza · Palisades Recreation Center · Palisades-Asilomar Park · Rustic Canyon Recreation Center
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What the census says about Pacific Palisades
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Pacific Palisades; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 27 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 80%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1963
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 1%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 8%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 98%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 74%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 9,264
- total housing units
Averaged across 19 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Pacific Palisades in the regional index
How Pacific Palisades places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where police report the fewest incidents
Ranks #7 of 254 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Tree cover, clean air, little traffic
Ranks #42 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Pacific Palisades
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Pacific Palisades?+
Yes, strongly. There is no Metro rail access, and most restaurants, shops, and services require driving. Public transit options are minimal, so a personal vehicle is essential for daily life here.
What is the rent here?+
New leases average about $12,180 per month (as of May 2026), making it one of the pricier neighborhoods in LA (108th of 114). Current residents pay a median of about $2,988, but that figure includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants and does not reflect today's market.
Is Pacific Palisades walkable?+
It ranks 103rd of 114 for walkability, meaning most errands will require a car. Within a short walk you can reach a few coffee shops and one grocery store, but dining, shopping, and services are spread out across the neighborhood.
What is there to do outdoors?+
The neighborhood is defined by outdoor recreation: hiking trails, multiple parks including Palisades-Asilomar Park and Rustic Canyon Recreation Center, and direct beach access. Air quality ranks 8th among LA neighborhoods, making it excellent for outdoor activity.
What is the average rent in Pacific Palisades?+
A new lease in Pacific Palisades typically asks around $12,180 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $3,034 (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 Pacific Palisades?+
Pacific Palisades has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 29 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Pacific Palisades?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Pacific Palisades are Topanga, South Newport Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes and Mission Viejo Hills.