Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Santa Clarita
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Santa Clarita
Rent control: Santa Claritahas 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 Santa Clarita scores for you
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Santa Clarita is a large suburban city in northwestern Los Angeles County, about 30 miles northwest of downtown LA. With a population of nearly 229,000, it is the third-largest city in the county and a classic edge city built around car commuting and family neighborhoods. The Santa Clara River runs through the Santa Clarita Valley, framing the city's layout across 70 square miles of relatively low-density development.
The city offers the space and affordability of suburban living while remaining within Los Angeles County. Most neighborhoods consist of single-family homes, apartment complexes, and shopping centers strung along major thoroughfares. Santa Clarita has grown steadily as a destination for families and commuters seeking more room and quieter streets than denser parts of the region.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Santa Clarita is built around the car. Errands and activities require driving, and public transit is limited and infrequent, though the city does rank better for bus and transit access than many comparable suburbs. Most residents drive to grocery stores, restaurants, and recreation. Amenities like coffee shops, restaurants, and parks exist throughout the city, but they are spread out rather than walkable. You will need a car to live here comfortably.
The lifestyle tends toward suburban and family-oriented. Nearby parks, community centers, and schools anchor neighborhoods. The city sees above-average traffic on its main corridors, particularly during commute times. Air quality is below the California median for diesel PM exposure, a tradeoff of the region's location and car dependency. If you value quiet, space, and a lower-cost suburban setting, Santa Clarita works well. If you prefer walkable neighborhoods and minimal driving, look elsewhere.
Who it's for
Santa Clarita suits families, remote workers, and commuters who prioritize space, affordability, and school quality over walkability and public transit. It appeals to renters seeking quieter neighborhoods outside the urban core but who still want to remain within Los Angeles County. If you are job-locked to central LA and need short leases while you establish yourself, the drive may be a dealbreaker. If you have flexibility on commute times or work locally, Santa Clarita's suburban pace and breathing room may be exactly what you need.
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.
Walkability: most errands require a car or transit.
Lower intersection density and fewer destinations within walking distance, typical of suburban LA/OC areas.
Transit: limited transit, infrequent service in this area.
Transit exists but headways are long enough that a car or bike is more practical for most daily trips.
Environmental data from CalEnviroScreen 4.0 and the EPA Smart Location Database. Informational only, not professional advice for a housing decision.
Who lives in Santa Clarita
Population
154,785
Renters
23%
of households rent
Median age
40
Median income
$125k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Santa Clarita
45 public schools sit inside this area · 42 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 72% | 67% |
| Canyon Springs Community Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 44% | 34% |
| Cedarcreek Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 55% | 59% |
| Charles Helmers Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 78% | 70% |
| Dr. J. Michael McGrath Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 47% | 45% |
| Emblem Academy Elementary | K-6 | 78% | 68% |
| Fair Oaks Ranch Community Elementary | K-6 | 55% | 47% |
| Golden Oak Community Elementary | K-6 | 68% | 59% |
| Highlands Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 62% | 59% |
| James Foster Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 60% | 57% |
| Leona H. Cox Community Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 58% | 45% |
| Meadows Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 78% | 75% |
| Mitchell Community Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 42% | 37% |
| Mountainview Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 67% | 63% |
| Newhall Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 33% | 26% |
| North Park Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 77% | 65% |
| Old Orchard Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 63% | 60% |
| Peachland Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 56% | 49% |
| Pinetree Community Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 61% | 47% |
| Plum Canyon Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 67% | 65% |
| Rio Vista Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 53% | 48% |
| Rosedell Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 65% | 56% |
| Skyblue Mesa Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 51% | 47% |
| Sulphur Springs Community Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 55% | 40% |
| Sulphur Springs Special Education Consortia Elementary | No Data | — | — |
| Tesoro del Valle Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 76% | 79% |
| Valencia Valley Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 78% | 66% |
| Valley View Community Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 46% | 37% |
| West Creek Academy Elementary | K-6 | 84% | 82% |
| Wiley Canyon Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 56% | 43% |
| Arroyo Seco Junior High Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 7-8 | 69% | 55% |
| La Mesa Junior High Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 7-8 | 59% | 43% |
| Placerita Junior High Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 7-8 | 62% | 47% |
| Rio Norte Junior High Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 7-8 | 75% | 63% |
| Sierra Vista Junior High Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 7-8 | 53% | 34% |
| Academy of the Canyons High School | 9-12 | 97% | 78% |
| Bowman (Jereann) High (Continuation) High School | 11-12 | 20% | 2% |
| Canyon High High School | 9-12 | 79% | 46% |
| Golden Valley High High School | 9-12 | 65% | 29% |
| Mission View PublicCharter High School | 8-12 | 36% | 5% |
| Saugus High High School | 9-12 | 82% | 49% |
| Valencia High High School | 9-12 | 84% | 54% |
| William S. Hart High High School | 9-12 | 68% | 35% |
| Bouquet Canyon Early Learning Academy Preschool | No Data | — | — |
| Golden Oak Adult 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 Santa Clarita
99c · Albertsons · ALDI · Food 4 Less
85°C · Boba Master · Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders · Coffee Been & Tea Leaf
*Mobile taco stand* · *Mobile taco stand* (est. 2019 - onwards) · Alamo Restaurant · Ameci's Pizza
Alicante Recreation Center · Aliento Park · Almendra Park · Arboleda Trailhead
24 Hour Fitness · Crunch Fitness · Gold's Gym · Henry Mayo Fitness and Health
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Santa Clarita
What the census says about Santa Clarita
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Santa Clarita; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 38 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 72%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1985
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 4%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 3%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 96%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 66%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 81,907
- total housing units
Averaged across 131 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Santa Clarita in the regional index
How Santa Clarita places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where police report the fewest incidents
Ranks #60 of 254 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Santa Clarita
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Santa Clarita?+
Yes. Santa Clarita is car-dependent, with very limited walkable access to shops and services. Public transit exists but is infrequent. Plan on driving for nearly all errands and activities.
How is the traffic?+
Santa Clarita experiences above-average traffic on its main corridors and thoroughfares, especially during morning and evening commute hours. Plan extra time if you will be commuting into or through the city.
What public transit options are available?+
Santa Clarita has limited and infrequent bus service. There are no rail stations in the city. If public transit is essential to your lifestyle, this city is not a good fit.
Is Santa Clarita close to Los Angeles?+
Santa Clarita is about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, roughly a 45-60 minute drive depending on traffic. It is a significant commute for jobs in central LA or other coastal areas.
What is the air quality like?+
Air quality is below the California median for diesel particulate exposure. The city's car-dependent layout and location contribute to this tradeoff, though it is not among the worst in the region.
Is Santa Clarita walkable?+
Santa Clarita ranks #320 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, most errands require a car or transit.
What is the average rent in Santa Clarita?+
Current residents of Santa Clarita pay a median rent of about $2,602 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Santa Clarita?+
Santa Clarita has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 36 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Santa Clarita?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Santa Clarita are Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, Yorba Linda Hills and Lakewood.