Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Palms
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Palms
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 Palms scores for you
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Palms is one of Los Angeles' oldest neighborhoods, founded in 1886 as an agricultural and vacation community and annexed to the city in 1915. Today it has evolved into a mixed residential area on the Westside, with a blend of apartment buildings, commercial corridors, and single-family homes in its quieter northwest corner. The neighborhood sits in a central Westside location with good walkability and direct Metro access.
Most of your daily errands can be done on foot, with about 15 restaurants, 2 coffee shops, and a grocery store within a short walk. The neighborhood ranks 10th of 114 LA areas for walkability. However, Palms sits in a high-traffic corridor with significant air quality concerns. It ranks 107th for air quality due to diesel PM exposure, and 108th for traffic, making it one of LA's most polluted neighborhoods. Tree cover is sparse at 4.4 percent, well below the LA average.
Living here
Daily life in Palms centers on walkable commercial strips where you can grab lunch, coffee, or groceries without a car. You'll find gyms, parks like Media Park and Woodbine Park, and a solid restaurant scene including Thai, sushi, and Indian options within walking distance. The neighborhood feels residential and busy at the same time, with constant commercial activity along the main corridors.
The tradeoff is air quality and traffic. Palms ranks among the worst in LA for both diesel particulate matter and traffic exposure, so if you're sensitive to air pollution or spend a lot of time outdoors, this matters. Transit access is minimal despite being near Palms Station and Culver City Station on the Metro E Line; you will need a car for most trips beyond the immediate walking radius. The lack of tree canopy also means few shaded streets, which compounds the heat and air quality issues.
Who it's for
Palms works for renters who prioritize walkable errands and restaurant access over air quality and outdoor comfort. It suits people who work nearby or don't mind a car commute, and who are comfortable in a dense, commercial-feeling neighborhood. It's less ideal for those with respiratory sensitivities, families who spend a lot of time in parks, or renters seeking quiet, tree-lined streets.
Environment & livability
Air quality: high diesel PM exposure, top quartile in California.
Linked to elevated respiratory and cardiovascular risk in long-term residents. See the air quality flag for more detail.
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
2 stations inside Palms, 2 more nearby.
Who lives in Palms
Population
16,219
Renters
85%
of households rent
Median age
35
Median income
$99k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Palms
4 public schools sit inside this area · 4 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charnock Road Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 52% | 51% |
| Clover Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 86% | 87% |
| Palms Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 41% | 24% |
| Palms Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 56% | 43% |
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 Palms
Ralphs · Sprouts Farmers Market · Trader Joe's · Vons
Coffee Commissary · Coppelia's Bakery and Restaurant · Good Day Thai Kitchen · Mia's Cafe
Abhiruchi Grill · Al's Hot Chicken · Almaza Restaurant and Hookah · Annapurna
Media Park · Woodbine Park
Core Body Studio · DogTown Crossfit · LA Fitness · Mayweather Boxing
Check your commute from Palms
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Palms
What the census says about Palms
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Palms; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 28 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 56%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1971
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 8%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 11%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 96%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 18%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 4,353
- total housing units
Averaged across 6 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Palms in the regional index
How Palms places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Plenty nearby, easy to get around
Ranks #10 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Cheap rent without needing a car
Ranks #46 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Palms
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 is rent in Palms?+
New leases are running about $2,774 per month as of May 2026, which ranks 83rd of 114 LA neighborhoods (mid-to-high range). Current residents pay a median of $2,282, but that reflects long-term and rent-stabilized tenants. Budget around $2,774 for a new lease.
Do I need a car?+
Yes, a car is strongly recommended. Palms has minimal transit access despite being near the Metro E Line; most trips beyond your immediate walking neighborhood will require driving. Bus and rail service exists but is limited compared to other Westside areas.
What is the air quality like?+
Palms has poor air quality, ranking 107th of 114 LA neighborhoods for diesel particulate matter exposure. It's in the top quartile for air pollution in California. If you have asthma, allergies, or spend significant time outdoors, this is an important consideration.
Is there much to do nearby?+
Yes, within a short walk you'll find about 15 restaurants, 2 coffee shops, 2 gyms, and parks. The neighborhood has solid amenities and ranks 17th of 114 LA areas, though most activities are concentrated along commercial strips rather than spread throughout residential blocks.
Is Palms walkable?+
Palms ranks #12 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, most daily errands can be done on foot.
What is the average rent in Palms?+
A new lease in Palms typically asks around $2,774 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $2,282 (Census ACS), which includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants, so expect asking prices closer to the first number. Among 15 current listings on Saktoo, the median asking rent is $2,980.
Does Palms have Metro rail access?+
Yes. Palms has 2 Metro rail stations within its boundary (Culver City, Palms), served by the Metro E Line.
How is the air quality in Palms?+
Palms has high diesel PM exposure, top quartile in California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 90 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Palms?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Palms are Hollywood, Sawtelle, West Hollywood and East Hollywood.
How many apartments are available in Palms?+
Saktoo currently tracks 15 active listings in Palms, starting at $1,545 per month.