Los Angeles neighborhood guide
San Pedro
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in San Pedro
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: San Pedrohas no local rent-stabilization ordinance we track, so California's statewide cap (AB 1482) is the main protection. It limits annual increases on most buildings at least 15 years old, with exemptions. Verify a building's status before signing.
General information, not legal advice.
How San Pedro scores for you
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San Pedro is a working-class waterfront neighborhood anchored by the Port of Los Angeles, one of the world's busiest international seaports. Once a separate city before consolidating with Los Angeles in 1909, it has evolved from a fishing-dominated community into a diverse residential area that still retains strong maritime character and a gritty authenticity. The neighborhood sits on a peninsula with water views and a close-knit feel, though it remains relatively isolated from the rest of the city.
Daily life here centers around local commerce, neighborhood parks, and the port's ever-present activity. You will see working boats, commercial trucks, and port operations woven into the urban fabric. The waterfront location means marine air and industrial noise are part of living here, balanced by genuine community character and manageable traffic compared to much of LA.
Living here
Getting around San Pedro requires a car for most trips. While the neighborhood ranks 80th out of 114 LA neighborhoods for walkability, you can handle some errands on foot within a short walk, including about 5 or 6 restaurants, 2 or 3 coffee shops, and 2 grocery stores. Public transit is minimal, ranking 66th out of 114, so transit access should not factor into your decision to move here. Traffic, however, is a real advantage: San Pedro ranks 7th out of 114 neighborhoods for light traffic, well below the LA average.
Air quality is a tradeoff. The area ranks 34th out of 114 for diesel particulate matter exposure, meaning it sits below the California median due to port operations and truck traffic. If you are sensitive to air quality, neighborhoods like Sunland, Reseda, Northridge, and Tujunga offer cleaner air. Tree canopy is sparse at about 6 percent, adding to the industrial feel. Parks within a short walk include Alma Park, Friendship Park, Peck Park, and Lookout Point Park, though the tree cover issue is neighborhood-wide.
Who it's for
San Pedro suits renters who work near the port, value light traffic and shorter commutes over transit access, and appreciate working-class neighborhoods with real character over polish. It is not ideal if air quality is a health priority for you, if you rely on public transportation, or if you prefer tree-lined streets and a residential feel. Budget about $2,850 for a new lease today, ranking 67th out of 114 neighborhoods for rent, just slightly above the LA median.
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: moderate traffic exposure, below the state median.
Traffic proximity here is better than average for California.
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.
Who lives in San Pedro
Population
70,043
Renters
62%
of households rent
Median age
41
Median income
$79k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in San Pedro
15 public schools sit inside this area · 13 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bandini Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 47% | 57% |
| Barton Hill Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 27% | 31% |
| Cabrillo Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 49% | 49% |
| Fifteenth Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 32% | 32% |
| Leland Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 37% | 33% |
| Park Western Place Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 66% | 68% |
| Point Fermin Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 66% | 66% |
| Seventh Street Elementary Arts Integration Magnet Elementary | K-5 | 51% | 50% |
| South Shores/CSUDH Visual and Performing Arts Elementary | K-5 | 64% | 57% |
| Taper Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 63% | 60% |
| White Point Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 65% | 53% |
| Richard Henry Dana Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 38% | 25% |
| Ernest P. Willenberg Special Education Center High School | 12 | — | — |
| Port of Los Angeles HighCharter High School | 9-12 | 89% | 44% |
| Harbor Occupational Center Adult | No Data | — | — |
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 San Pedro
7 Days Food Store · Paradise Preserves · Salsas Chingona · Smart & Final
Distrito Coffee · Hojas Tea House · NUDA Juice & Wellness Shop · Sacred Grounds
Baramee Thai Restaurant · Bonello's New York Pizza · Brite Spot Mexican · Bunz Gourmet Burgers
22nd Street Park · Alma Park · Averill Park · Bandini Park
Proper Fitness
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to San Pedro
What the census says about San Pedro
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe San Pedro; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 35 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 72%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1964
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 8%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 5%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 92%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 47%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 17,081
- total housing units
Averaged across 32 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
San Pedro in the regional index
How San Pedro places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Low rent and clean air together
Ranks #34 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Tree cover, clean air, little traffic
Ranks #40 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in San Pedro
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Frequently asked questions
How much are rents in San Pedro?+
New leases average about $2,850 per month as of May 2026, ranking 67th out of 114 LA neighborhoods. Current residents pay a median of about $2,048, but that reflects long-term and rent-stabilized tenants. Budget from the asking rent for a one-bedroom around $1,472 and two-bedrooms around $1,790.
Do I need a car in San Pedro?+
Yes. The neighborhood has minimal public transit and ranks 80th out of 114 for walkability, so a car is strongly recommended for daily life. The upside is that traffic is light by LA standards, ranking 7th out of 114 neighborhoods.
What is the air quality like?+
Air quality ranks 34th out of 114, below the California median for diesel particulate matter exposure due to port operations and truck traffic. If air quality is a health concern, other neighborhoods will be healthier choices.
What can I do for fun and exercise nearby?+
Within a short walk you will find about 5 or 6 restaurants, 2 or 3 coffee shops, and several parks including Peck Park and Friendship Park. One gym is within walking distance. The waterfront location offers maritime character and waterside walks, though limited tree canopy gives the area an industrial feel.
Is San Pedro walkable?+
San Pedro ranks #224 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in San Pedro?+
A new lease in San Pedro typically asks around $2,850 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $2,056 (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 San Pedro?+
San Pedro has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 46 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to San Pedro?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to San Pedro are Valinda, Panorama City, Reseda and South Whittier.