Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Walnut
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Walnut
Rent control: Walnuthas 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 Walnut scores for you
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Walnut is a quiet residential city in the San Gabriel Valley, about 25 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. With a population of roughly 28,000, it offers a small-town feel while remaining part of the greater Los Angeles metro area. The city is known for its planned, suburban character and family-oriented communities.
Living here means accepting a car-dependent lifestyle in exchange for a more peaceful, less congested setting than much of the county. Walnut ranks in the middle of the region for overall livability, with adequate amenities and reasonable air quality, though tree cover is limited and traffic exposure is above average for the region.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Walnut revolves around car travel. While some errands are walkable, you will need a vehicle for most shopping and activities. The city has no Metro rail service, so transit is minimal and rarely convenient. Parks like Lemon Creek Bicentennial Park and Suzanne Park offer green space for residents, and dining and shopping options include chains and local spots, though they are scattered across town rather than concentrated.
The neighborhood is safe and family-focused, with moderate traffic on main corridors but quieter residential streets. The air quality is below the California median for diesel particulate matter, a consideration if you are sensitive to pollution. Tree coverage is sparse, so summers can feel hot and exposed.
Who it's for
Walnut works best for renters who prioritize quiet, predictable residential living and own a car or are willing to rely on one. It appeals to families seeking schools and low-crime neighborhoods, remote workers who do not commute daily, and anyone willing to trade walkability for affordability and peace. If you need frequent public transit, walkable errands, or an urban feel, Walnut will likely frustrate you.
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: 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 Walnut
Population
30,841
Renters
19%
of households rent
Median age
46
Median income
$134k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Walnut
6 public schools sit inside this area · 6 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Park Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 72% | 67% |
| Collegewood Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 64% | 65% |
| Cyrus J. Morris Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 64% | 68% |
| Leonard G. Westhoff Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 78% | 80% |
| Vejar Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 67% | 67% |
| Suzanne Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 73% | 64% |
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 Walnut
99 Ranch Market · ALDI · Vons
Coffee Tomo · Donut Tree · R&B Tea House · Starbucks
All That Barbeque · All That Shabu · Applebee's · Chick-fil-A
Arroyo Park · College Park · Country Hollow Park · Creekside Park
LA Fitness
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What the census says about Walnut
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Walnut; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 33 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 83%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1981
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 3%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 6%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 91%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 86%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 4 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 11,958
- total housing units
Averaged across 26 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Walnut in the regional index
How Walnut places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #20 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Walnut
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Walnut?+
Yes. Walnut has no Metro stations and minimal public transit. Walking is possible for some errands, but a car is strongly recommended for most daily activities, shopping, and dining.
How is the air quality?+
Walnut ranks 110th out of 318 measured areas for air quality and sits below the California median for diesel PM exposure. It is not a major pollution hotspot, but sensitive residents should be aware of this limitation.
What is the rent like compared to nearby areas?+
At a median of about $2,908 per month for current residents, Walnut ranks 175th of 210 measured areas and sits slightly above the regional average. It is considered pricier, though exact asking rents for new leases may vary.
Are there parks and recreation nearby?+
Yes. Within a short walk you will find about 1.8 parks on average, including Lemon Creek Bicentennial Park, Suzanne Park, and Harvard Athletic Park. However, tree cover is limited across the city, so many parks and streets feel relatively open.
Is Walnut walkable?+
Walnut ranks #268 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Walnut?+
Current residents of Walnut pay a median rent of about $2,987 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Walnut?+
Walnut has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 41 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Walnut?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Walnut are Walnut, West Hills, Great Park Neighborhoods and Laguna Hills.