Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Playa del Rey
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Playa del Rey
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 Playa del Rey scores for you
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Playa del Rey is a quiet seaside neighborhood on LA's westside, tucked between the beach and Marina del Rey. The area has a small-town feel with tree-lined streets, local cafes, and parks within walking distance. Its position near the ocean keeps the atmosphere relaxed and residential, drawing people who want access to the coast without the crowds of Venice or Santa Monica.
Living here
Day-to-day life centers on the neighborhood's walkable core, where you can reach coffee shops like Cafe Boheme, restaurants such as Hacienda Playa, and parks like Vista del Mar within a short walk. However, you will need a car for most errands and to get around LA, as public transit is minimal with no Metro rail nearby. The trade-off is worth it if you value quiet streets and ocean proximity over convenience and transit options.
Who it's for
Playa del Rey suits renters who work nearby (Marina del Rey, Westchester, or the airport corridor) and prioritize a calm, coastal lifestyle over transit access or urban walkability. It's a good fit for people with cars who want to escape denser neighborhoods while staying on the westside. Expect to pay about $3,502 for a new lease, placing the area among LA's pricier neighborhoods, so it appeals to those with a stable income who can afford the premium for proximity to the beach and breathing room.
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: limited tree cover, mostly open streetscape.
Less canopy means more heat exposure and less visual greenery on daily walks. LA County median is around 14% canopy coverage.
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 Playa del Rey
Population
6,282
Renters
43%
of households rent
Median age
45
Median income
$175k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Playa del Rey
3 public schools sit inside this area · 3 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paseo del Rey Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 50% | 54% |
| Katherine Johnson STEM Academy Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 41% | 44% |
| WISH Academy HighCharter High School | 9-12 | 72% | 29% |
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 Playa del Rey
Cafe Boheme · Cafe Milan · Tanner's
Bacari PDR · Caffé Pinguini · Cantalini's Salerno Beach Restaurant · El Rincon Criollo
Coastal View Park at One Westbluff · Del Rey Lagoon Park · Gas Company Field · Titmouse Park
Hayward Kickboxing Center · Real Fitness
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Playa del Rey
What the census says about Playa del Rey
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Playa del Rey; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 31 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 69%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1964
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 1%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 9%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 99%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 54%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 4,310
- total housing units
Averaged across 8 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Playa del Rey in the regional index
How Playa del Rey places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #15 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Playa del Rey
Found a place you like? Score it against your priorities to see how well any address fits your budget and commute.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Playa del Rey?+
Yes, a car is essential. There is no Metro rail access and only minimal bus service, so you will rely on driving for almost all trips beyond the immediate neighborhood. The area ranks 106th out of 114 LA neighborhoods for transit access.
How walkable is Playa del Rey for daily errands?+
It is moderately walkable for some errands like grabbing coffee or a meal, but not for comprehensive shopping. Groceries and most retail require a car, as typical small-cell density includes about 8 restaurants and 1-2 grocery options nearby. Consider it walkable in pockets, not throughout.
What is the rent in Playa del Rey?+
A new lease averages about $3,502 per month as of May 2026, making it one of LA's pricier neighborhoods (ranked 104th of 114). Current residents pay a median of $2,873, which includes many long-term and rent-stabilized tenants; budget for the higher asking rent if you are moving.
What is the air quality and traffic like?+
Air quality is better than average for LA, ranking 23rd of 114 neighborhoods for diesel PM exposure. Traffic is above average (ranked 27th for traffic percentile exposure), typical for a westside location near major corridors, though quieter than central LA neighborhoods.
Is Playa del Rey walkable?+
Playa del Rey ranks #125 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Playa del Rey?+
A new lease in Playa del Rey typically asks around $3,502 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $2,873 (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 Playa del Rey?+
Playa del Rey has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 41 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Playa del Rey?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Playa del Rey are Lake Forest Hills, Oak Creek, Agoura Hills and East Pasadena.