Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Sun Valley
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Sun Valley
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 Sun Valley scores for you
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Sun Valley is a residential neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley known for its younger population and family-friendly character. The area has three recreation centers, including a historic site, and thirteen public schools serving the community. It's a quieter, more spacious part of the Valley with a notably open streetscape.
Today, asking rent for a new lease in Sun Valley runs about $2,811 per month, roughly 40% above the LA median of $2,016. Rents have declined about 2.8% year-over-year, reflecting broader softness in the Valley market. While current residents pay a median of $1,791 (many on long-term or stabilized leases), newcomers should budget for the asking rate.
Living here
Sun Valley feels car-dependent. It ranks 89th of 114 LA neighborhoods for walkability and 87th for transit access, with no Metro rail stations nearby and minimal bus service. You can handle some errands on foot, like grabbing coffee or hitting a grocery store (about 1 within a short walk), but most daily life requires a car. Traffic exposure is above average for the LA region, and the area has very limited tree cover, giving it a predominantly concrete feel.
Parks are a strength. You'll find about 2-3 parks within short walking distance, including Strathern Park North, Jaime Beth Slavin Park, and Sun Valley Park, which provide good outdoor space for families. The neighborhood's air quality is moderate for California, with moderate diesel PM exposure, ranking 74th of 114 areas locally.
Who it's for
Sun Valley works best for renters who need affordable-ish space in the Valley and don't mind driving for most activities. It appeals to families drawn to the schools, younger renters who prioritize budget over walkability, and anyone comfortable with an open, car-centric streetscape. If you work on the Valley side of LA and want a quieter residential area without the walkability demands of central or West LA, this neighborhood fits the bill.
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 Sun Valley
Population
72,176
Renters
48%
of households rent
Median age
37
Median income
$70k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Sun Valley
13 public schools sit inside this area · 12 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arminta Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 40% | 34% |
| Camellia Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 28% | 21% |
| Fernangeles Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 27% | 27% |
| Glenwood Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 28% | 33% |
| ISANA Cardinal AcademyCharter Elementary | K-5 | 50% | 40% |
| Julie Korenstein Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 25% | 32% |
| Roscoe Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 33% | 36% |
| Saticoy Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 29% | 27% |
| Strathern Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 38% | 33% |
| Richard E. Byrd Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 39% | 27% |
| Charles Leroy Lowman Special Education and Career Transition Center High School | 8-12 | — | — |
| Robert H. Lewis Continuation High School | 9-12 | 5% | 3% |
| Alliance Marine - Innovation and Technology 6-12 ComplexCharter Elementary-High Combination | 6-12 | 59% | 41% |
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 Sun Valley
Pratunum Market · Ralphs
Starbucks
786 Degrees · Ay Papa Que Rico · Burger King · Carl's Jr.
Bellaire Avenue Park · Fernangeles Recreation Center · H.O.P.E. Garden Project · Jaime Beth Slavin Park
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Sun Valley
What the census says about Sun Valley
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Sun Valley; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 31 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 80%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1961
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 20%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 7%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 95%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 65%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 11,255
- total housing units
Averaged across 25 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Sun Valley in the regional index
How Sun Valley places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- The areas with no affordable escape from pollution
Ranks #15 of 262 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Sun Valley
Found a place you like? Score it against your priorities to see how well any address fits your budget and commute.
Frequently asked questions
Is there public transit in Sun Valley?+
No Metro rail stations serve Sun Valley, and bus service is minimal. The neighborhood ranks 87th of 114 for transit access, so a car is strongly recommended for daily life.
How much should I budget for rent here?+
New leases average about $2,811 per month. That's roughly 40% above the LA median but falls around the middle of LA neighborhoods overall (rank 48 of 114). Studios run lower around $1,513, two-bedrooms around $1,739, and three-bedrooms around $2,420.
Can I walk to shops and errands?+
You can hit some nearby stops like coffee shops and grocers on foot, but the neighborhood is only somewhat walkable (rank 89 of 114). Most errands and social activities require a car.
What are the main attractions and parks?+
Sun Valley Park, Strathern Park North, and Jaime Beth Slavin Park are within walking distance and offer good outdoor space. The neighborhood also has three recreation centers and thirteen public schools, making it popular with families.
How's the air quality and traffic?+
Air quality is moderate for California with above-average traffic exposure for the LA region. It ranks 74th for air quality and 76th for traffic corridor impact out of 114 neighborhoods.
Is Sun Valley walkable?+
Sun Valley ranks #204 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Sun Valley?+
A new lease in Sun Valley typically asks around $2,811 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $1,791 (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 Sun Valley?+
Sun Valley has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 66 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Sun Valley?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Sun Valley are West Whittier-Los Nietos, Mission Hills, Baldwin Park and Norwalk.