Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Valinda
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Valinda
Rent control: Valindahas 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 Valinda scores for you
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Valinda is a census-designated place in the San Gabriel Valley, about 25 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in Los Angeles County. With a population of around 22,400, it's a quiet, low-density residential community where you'll find single-family homes, small apartment complexes, and local strip malls rather than urban density or major commercial centers.
The area sits in a pocket of relatively clean air compared to the rest of California, ranking in the top 11 percent for air quality across the state. Traffic here is also lighter than average for Southern California, though the tradeoff is that public transit is minimal, making a car essential for most residents.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Valinda revolves around car trips. You can walk to some errands like a nearby coffee shop, grocery store, or restaurant, but most destinations require driving. Within a short walk you'll find about 6 restaurants, 2 grocery stores, 1 coffee shop, 1 gym, and 1 park, though these are scattered rather than concentrated. The pace is suburban and low-key, without the congestion you'd experience closer to central Los Angeles.
There is no Metro rail service in Valinda, and bus options are limited. If you work outside the immediate area or need to commute regularly, you'll be spending significant time behind the wheel. For day-to-day shopping and dining, you'll rely on car access to local establishments and nearby strip commercial areas.
Who it's for
Valinda suits renters who prioritize a quieter, car-dependent suburban lifestyle over walkability and transit access. It's a good fit if you work locally, have flexible commute hours, or are willing to drive; if you need walkable urban amenities or rely on public transit, you'll be frustrated here. Families and those seeking affordable, low-traffic neighborhoods in the San Gabriel Valley will find it appealing.
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: moderate traffic exposure, below the state median.
Traffic proximity here is better than average for California.
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 Valinda
Population
14,474
Renters
25%
of households rent
Median age
41
Median income
$103k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Valinda
3 public schools sit inside this area · 3 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin Academy Elementary | K-5 | 32% | 33% |
| Valinda School of Academics Elementary | K-5 | 39% | 31% |
| Wing Lane Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 25% | 26% |
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 Valinda
ALDI · Walmart Neighborhood Market
Starbucks
Bay Poke · Burger King · Jack in the Box · Taco Bell
Rimgrove Park
Planet Fitness
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What the census says about Valinda
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Valinda; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 35 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 83%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1961
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 20%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 4%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 93%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 82%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 1,889
- total housing units
Averaged across 6 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Valinda in the regional index
How Valinda places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Tree cover, clean air, little traffic
Ranks #23 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where police report the fewest incidents
Ranks #42 of 254 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where home prices go furthest
Ranks #47 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Valinda
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Valinda?+
Yes. Transit is minimal, and while some errands are walkable, most trips require driving. A car is strongly recommended for any renter here.
How is the air quality?+
Valinda has cleaner air than most of California, ranking in the top 11 percent statewide. It's one of the area's notable strengths.
Is there public transit?+
There is no Metro rail service, and bus options are limited. Public transit access is minimal compared to other LA County neighborhoods.
What's the traffic like?+
Traffic exposure is moderate and below the state median, making commutes within and around the area relatively lighter than many Southern California communities.
Is Valinda walkable?+
Valinda ranks #217 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Valinda?+
Current residents of Valinda pay a median rent of about $2,139 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Valinda?+
Valinda has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 26 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Valinda?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Valinda are San Pedro, Reseda, Sunland and Rowland Heights.