Los Angeles neighborhood guide
University Park
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in University Park
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 University Park scores for you
Checking your quiz profile…
Score University Park your way
Drag a slider to say how much each thing matters to you. The score updates live.
Want the real thing? Take the full quiz to factor in your budget and commute and rank University Park against every neighborhood.
University Park centers on the USC campus and the residential neighborhoods immediately north of it. The area is defined by student and university-affiliated populations, with a mix of older single-family homes and apartment buildings designed to accommodate the school's footprint. The neighborhood has evolved significantly over decades as USC expanded, reshaping both its character and its built environment.
Today, University Park ranks among LA's most walkable neighborhoods and has exceptional transit access via multiple Metro E Line stations within the neighborhood boundary itself. However, the area faces serious environmental challenges: air quality ranks 113th of 114 LA neighborhoods due to diesel particulate exposure, and traffic is heavy. Tree cover is minimal at about 4 percent, well below the LA average of 6 percent.
Living here
Most daily errands can be handled on foot, with about 14 restaurants, 4 coffee shops, 2 grocery stores, 3 gyms, and 3 parks within a short walk of most addresses. The Metro E Line runs directly through the neighborhood at Jefferson / USC, Expo Park / USC, and Expo / Vermont stations, plus the Metro A Line is accessible just outside the boundary, making car-free commuting viable for many residents. That said, air quality here is among the worst in California, and heavy traffic on major corridors is constant. The limited tree canopy means summers can feel exposed and hot.
The neighborhood's character varies significantly by block. Areas near campus tend toward student housing and transient populations, while the residential streets north of USC (Chester Place, St. James Park) are quieter and more family-oriented. Rents for new leases average about $2,119, placing the area in the middle of LA's rental market (16th of 114 neighborhoods). Most current residents pay $1,432 because many have been here longer, but new renters should budget around the $2,119 figure.
Who it's for
University Park works best for renters who prioritize walkable, transit-connected urban living and are willing to accept poor air quality and heavy traffic as tradeoffs. Students and university staff benefit from proximity to campus. Others who don't mind the environmental conditions and prefer being near restaurants, shops, and public transit over a quiet or green setting will find the location hard to beat. It's less suitable for people with respiratory concerns, families seeking parks and natural space, or those who value a car-free environment (despite good transit, the high traffic means it doesn't feel particularly pleasant for walking or cycling).
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: high traffic corridor exposure.
This area is near major traffic corridors, linked to higher noise levels, diesel PM, and reduced street-level comfort.
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.
Metro rail
3 stations inside University Park, 3 more nearby.
Who lives in University Park
Population
19,286
Renters
93%
of households rent
Median age
26
Median income
$30k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in University Park
7 public schools sit inside this area · 7 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Theodore T. Alexander Jr. Science CenterCharter Elementary | K-5 | 48% | 38% |
| John W. Mack Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 23% | 23% |
| University Park Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 59% | 61% |
| Rancho San Joaquin Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 7-8 | 78% | 75% |
| Alliance Gertz-Ressler Richard Merkin 6-12 ComplexCharter Elementary-High Combination | 6-12 | 59% | 31% |
| New Designs CharterCharter Elementary-High Combination | 6-12 | 38% | 18% |
| Thirty-Second Street USC Performing Arts Elementary-High Combination | K-12 | 57% | 36% |
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 University Park
Cal Mart Beer & Wine Food Store · J H Bazaar (Indian Grocery) · Ralphs · Super Irvine International Market
Cafe Dulce · Illy · Lollicup Extra · Ministry of Coffee
23rd Street Cafe · Bacari W Adam? · Blaze Pizza · Bruxie
Alumni Park · Associates Park · Dave Robins Park · Echo Run Park
CorePower Yoga · Lyons Center · USC Village Gym
Check your commute from University Park
Enter your work (or any) address for real travel times from this neighborhood.
Similar neighborhoods
Next to University Park
What the census says about University Park
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe University Park; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 29 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 54%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1973
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 13%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 8%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 87%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 16%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 4,028
- total housing units
Averaged across 8 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
University Park in the regional index
How University Park places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- The areas with no affordable escape from pollution
Ranks #66 of 262 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Plenty nearby, easy to get around
Ranks #80 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in University Park
Found a place you like? Score it against your priorities to see how well any address fits your budget and commute.
Frequently asked questions
How is transit access in University Park?+
Excellent. The Metro E Line runs through the neighborhood with stations at Jefferson / USC, Expo Park / USC, and Expo / Vermont, all on the neighborhood boundary. The Metro A Line (Pico Station, Grand / LATTC) is also within walking distance. University Park ranks 3rd of 114 LA neighborhoods for transit access.
What are the air quality and traffic conditions like?+
Both are significant concerns. Air quality ranks 113th of 114 due to diesel particulate from freight corridors and heavy traffic, making it unsuitable for people with respiratory sensitivities. Traffic exposure ranks 102nd of 114, meaning you'll encounter congestion regularly, though not the very worst in LA.
What should I expect to pay for rent?+
New leases average $2,119, which ranks 16th of 114 LA neighborhoods, so about slightly lower than the median. One-bedroom units run around $1,394, while two-bedrooms are closer to $1,651. Current residents pay less because many have longer-term or stabilized leases.
Is there enough tree cover and green space?+
No. The neighborhood has only about 4 percent tree canopy, well below LA's 6 percent average. Parks within walking distance include McCarthy Quad, Hutton Park, and Alumni Park, but the overall environment is concrete-heavy, especially on major streets.
Can I do most errands on foot?+
Yes. The area is highly walkable with about 14 restaurants, 4 coffee shops, 2 grocery stores, and 3 gyms within a short walk, ranking 3rd of 114 LA neighborhoods for amenities. Trader Joe's and Ralphs are accessible options for groceries.
Is University Park walkable?+
University Park ranks #127 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in University Park?+
A new lease in University Park typically asks around $2,119 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $2,087 (Census ACS), which includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants, so expect asking prices closer to the first number.
Does University Park have Metro rail access?+
Yes. University Park has 3 Metro rail stations within its boundary (Jefferson / USC, Expo Park / USC, Expo / Vermont), served by the Metro A Line, Metro E Line.
How is the air quality in University Park?+
University Park 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 University Park?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to University Park are University Park, Santa Monica, Grand Terrace and Riverside.