Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Tarzana
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Tarzana
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 Tarzana scores for you
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Tarzana is a sprawling neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley, built on land that was once Edgar Rice Burroughs' ranch. The neighborhood takes its name from Tarzan, the author's famous fictional hero, and that literary history gives the area a quirky local identity that most residents appreciate. Today it's a quiet, car-dependent residential community with tree-lined streets, single-family homes, and a slow pace that appeals to people seeking valley living without the intensity of central LA.
Living here
Getting around Tarzana requires a car. Public transit is minimal, and while you can walk to some errands like coffee shops or restaurants, you'll find yourself driving for groceries and many daily tasks. The neighborhood sits on a traffic corridor, so commute times and neighborhood traffic can be noticeable, though it ranks slightly above average for LA overall. Air quality is moderate for California standards, with some diesel PM exposure typical of valley locations.
Who it's for
Tarzana works best for renters who own a car, value quiet residential space, and don't mind the valley's sprawl. It's a good fit for families or people who want more breathing room than denser LA neighborhoods offer, and who are willing to trade walkability and transit access for a lower-key, suburban feel. The rent is slightly above the LA median, so it appeals to people seeking that suburban character without paying premium Brentwood or Encino prices.
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: 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 Tarzana
Population
24,869
Renters
41%
of households rent
Median age
44
Median income
$126k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Tarzana
8 public schools sit inside this area · 8 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHIME Institute's Schwarzenegger CommunityCharter Elementary | K-8 | 54% | 47% |
| Emelita Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 42% | 36% |
| Nestle Avenue CharterCharter Elementary | K-5 | 53% | 52% |
| Tarzana Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 49% | 40% |
| Vanalden Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 36% | 32% |
| Wilbur Charter for Enriched AcademicsCharter Elementary | K-5 | 62% | 61% |
| Gaspar De Portola Charter MiddleCharter Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 69% | 59% |
| Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies Elementary-High Combination | 4-12 | 70% | 54% |
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 Tarzana
Bazaar · Gelson's · Olive Food Market · Sri Lankan Delight
Coffee Tree · Enigma Coffee · Laidrey Coffee Roasters · Peet's Coffee
ABC · Aroma · Bazaar Market and Deli · Black Bear Diner
Mecca Park · Tarzana Community & Cultural Center · Tarzana Recreation Center
Anytime Fitness · Club Pilates
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Tarzana
What the census says about Tarzana
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Tarzana; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 36 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 76%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1967
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 5%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 6%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 94%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 62%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 7,707
- total housing units
Averaged across 13 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Tarzana in the regional index
How Tarzana places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #59 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Tarzana
Found a place you like? Score it against your priorities to see how well any address fits your budget and commute.
Frequently asked questions
What's the rent here right now?+
New leases are running about $2,882 per month on average as of May 2026, which ranks 90th of 114 LA neighborhoods (above median). Rents have declined slightly year-over-year by about 1.4 percent.
Do I need a car in Tarzana?+
Yes. Transit is minimal with no rail stations nearby, and while some errands like coffee or dining are within walking distance, groceries and most daily needs require a car. Public buses exist but are sparse, making a vehicle strongly recommended.
What's the air quality and traffic like?+
Air quality ranks 54th of 114 neighborhoods, with moderate diesel PM exposure typical for the valley. Traffic exposure is above average for LA, with the area sitting on a corridor that sees regular congestion, so expect noticeable traffic during commute times.
Are there parks and outdoor spaces nearby?+
Yes. The Tarzana Recreation Center, Mecca Park, and Tarzana Community & Cultural Center are all within short walking distance, and the area has slightly better tree canopy than you might expect for a suburban valley neighborhood at about 9.4 percent coverage.
Is Tarzana walkable?+
Tarzana ranks #233 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Tarzana?+
A new lease in Tarzana typically asks around $2,882 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $2,496 (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 Tarzana?+
Tarzana has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 55 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Tarzana?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Tarzana are Woodland Hills, Ladera Heights, Encino and Diamond Bar.