Los Angeles neighborhood guide
South Gate
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in South Gate
Rent control: South Gatehas 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 South Gate scores for you
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South Gate is a compact city of 7.4 square miles in southeastern Los Angeles County, situated about 7 miles southeast of Downtown Los Angeles as part of the Gateway Cities region. It is a dense, urban community with a mix of residential, commercial, and light industrial areas that reflects the character of southeastern LA County.
Living here means being embedded in an established urban neighborhood where you can handle some errands on foot, but a car is useful for most trips. The city sits above the regional average for traffic exposure, and air quality ranks in the moderate range for California, with some diesel particulate exposure typical of the area.
Living here
Day-to-day life in South Gate centers on walkable local corridors where you will find about 1.7 coffee spots, 4.8 restaurants, and 1 grocery store within a short walk. Parks like South Gate Park, State Street Park, and Urban Orchard Park offer nearby green space. However, transit access is minimal, with no rail stations in the city, so a car is strongly recommended for most residents.
Traffic is a real factor here, ranking above the regional average, and the area experiences moderate diesel particulate matter exposure. The urban, pedestrian-oriented blocks mean shopping and dining are reachable without a long drive, but longer trips or commutes will depend on your own vehicle.
Who it's for
South Gate works best for renters comfortable with a car-dependent lifestyle who want to be close to southeastern Los Angeles County's urban core. It suits people working in or near the Gateway Cities area, families seeking an established urban neighborhood with local schools and parks, and those who prioritize access to nearby commercial corridors and affordable urban living over transit connections or quiet suburban character.
Environment & livability
Air quality: moderate diesel PM exposure for California.
Above the state median, linked to mild long-term respiratory risk in some studies. Worth considering for sensitive households.
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: 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 South Gate
Population
84,670
Renters
56%
of households rent
Median age
34
Median income
$68k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in South Gate
21 public schools sit inside this area · 20 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspire Firestone Academy CharterCharter Elementary | K-5 | 38% | 45% |
| Aspire Gateway Academy CharterCharter Elementary | K-5 | 36% | 39% |
| Bryson Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 60% | 58% |
| Independence Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 39% | 31% |
| KIPP Corazon AcademyCharter Elementary | K-8 | 40% | 32% |
| Liberty Boulevard Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 37% | 37% |
| Madison Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 36% | 35% |
| Montara Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 44% | 44% |
| San Gabriel Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 29% | 25% |
| San Miguel Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 35% | 32% |
| Stanford Avenue Elementary Elementary | 1-5 | 52% | 50% |
| Stanford Primary Center Elementary | K | — | — |
| Tweedy Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 37% | 37% |
| Victoria Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 54% | 50% |
| Willow Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 50% | 42% |
| South Gate Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 40% | 29% |
| Southeast Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 34% | 15% |
| Odyssey Continuation High School | 9-12 | 29% | 0% |
| Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics at Legacy High School Complex High School | 9-12 | 70% | 34% |
| South Gate Senior High High School | 9-12 | 54% | 33% |
| International Studies Learning Center at Legacy High School Complex Elementary-High Combination | 6-12 | 52% | 32% |
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 South Gate
ALDI · El Super · Northgate González Market · Northgate Market
85°C · Lollicup · Starbucks · Tierra Mia Coffee
Blaze Pizza · Buffalo Spot · Burger King · California Donuts
Cesar Chavez Park · Circle Park · Hollydale Community Park · South Gate Park
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What the census says about South Gate
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe South Gate; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 35 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 79%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1956
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 21%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 2%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 88%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 53%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 10,078
- total housing units
Averaged across 21 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
South Gate in the regional index
How South Gate places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where home prices go furthest
Ranks #24 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where rent goes furthest
Ranks #30 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Low rent and clean air together
Ranks #43 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in South Gate
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in South Gate?+
Yes. Transit access is minimal with no nearby rail stations, and the city ranks near the bottom regionally for public transportation. A car is strongly recommended for getting around.
Is South Gate walkable?+
It is walkable for some errands. You will find restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores within short walks, but many trips still require a vehicle. The city ranks below the regional median for overall walkability.
What is the air quality and traffic like?+
Air quality is moderate for California, with some diesel particulate exposure typical of southeastern LA County. Traffic is above the regional average, so commute times and congestion can be factors depending on your schedule.
What parks and amenities are nearby?+
South Gate Park, State Street Park, Stanford Avenue Park, and Urban Orchard Park provide local recreation. You will find grocery stores like El Super, ALDI, and Northgate Market, plus chains like Starbucks, Raising Cane's, and Ono Hawaiian BBQ within the city.
What is the average rent in South Gate?+
Current residents of South Gate pay a median rent of about $1,513 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in South Gate?+
South Gate has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 72 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to South Gate?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to South Gate are Bell Gardens, Hawthorne, Paramount and East Los Angeles.