Los Angeles neighborhood guide
West Hills
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in West Hills
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 West Hills scores for you
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West Hills is a quiet residential neighborhood in the western San Fernando Valley, bordered by mountain ranges to the west and neighboring Chatsworth, Canoga Park, and Woodland Hills. The area is known for its spacious, family-oriented character and tree-lined streets that feel removed from the busier parts of LA.
Living here means trading walkability for space and calm. You'll find modest single-family homes, low-rise apartments, and plenty of room to spread out. The neighborhood has good air quality, ranking 4th of 114 LA neighborhoods for clean air, and relatively light traffic compared to most of the city.
Living here
Day-to-day life in West Hills revolves around driving. You'll find a handful of parks within a short walk (about 1 per small cell), along with restaurants, grocery stores like Sprouts Farmers Market and Trader Joe's, and gyms scattered throughout. However, most errands require a car, and public transit is minimal with no nearby Metro rail stations. Getting around on foot works for some trips but isn't practical for daily life.
The neighborhood feels suburban and residential, with lower density than most of LA and very limited tree cover. You'll see mostly concrete and asphalt, though the proximity to mountain ranges offers natural scenery. Traffic is moderate and below the state median, making driving less stressful than in many LA neighborhoods, though you will need a car.
Who it's for
West Hills suits drivers who prioritize quiet, residential living and space over walkability and transit access. It's a good fit for families, remote workers, or anyone willing to drive for most errands and who appreciate suburban character within the city. If you rely on public transit or prefer walkable neighborhoods, this area will feel car-dependent.
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 West Hills
Population
30,710
Renters
20%
of households rent
Median age
46
Median income
$141k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in West Hills
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capistrano Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 52% | 53% |
| Enadia Way Technology CharterCharter Elementary | K-5 | 40% | 30% |
| Hamlin Charter AcademyCharter Elementary | K-5 | 37% | 40% |
| Haynes Charter for Enriched StudiesCharter Elementary | K-5 | 66% | 59% |
| Justice Street Academy CharterCharter Elementary | K-5 | 73% | 64% |
| Pomelo Community CharterCharter Elementary | K-5 | 69% | 66% |
| Welby Way Charter Elementary School And Gifted-High Ability MagnetCharter Elementary | K-5 | 81% | 81% |
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 West Hills
ALDI · Fields Market · Konnekted · Pavilions
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Al Italiano · All American BBQ (Barbecue) Smoked Ribs & Mesquite Fire Pit · Ayce Gogi Korean BBQ & Pinball · Chick-fil-A
4 Oaks Park · Bell Canyon Open Space · Castle Peak Park · Fallbrook Park
24 Hour Fitness · XplosiveFit
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to West Hills
What the census says about West Hills
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe West Hills; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 36 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 78%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1967
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 3%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 2%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 96%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 93%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 4 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 14,139
- total housing units
Averaged across 24 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
West Hills in the regional index
How West Hills places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #44 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Tree cover, clean air, little traffic
Ranks #53 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where police report the fewest incidents
Ranks #59 of 254 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in West Hills
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Frequently asked questions
How much is rent in West Hills?+
New leases average about $3,272 per month as of May 2026, which ranks among the pricier LA neighborhoods (112th of 114). This is significantly higher than the LA median of around $1,944. Rent has stayed roughly flat year-over-year.
Do I need a car in West Hills?+
Yes, a car is strongly recommended. There is no Metro rail nearby, and the neighborhood is car-dependent for most errands. While some restaurants, parks, and grocery stores exist within a short walk, transit access is minimal.
What's the air quality like?+
West Hills has excellent air quality, ranking 4th of 114 LA neighborhoods for low diesel PM exposure, which is well below the California median. This is one of the neighborhood's strongest environmental features.
Is West Hills walkable?+
It's walkable for some errands but not ideal. The neighborhood ranks 91st of 114 in walkability, meaning you can complete certain trips on foot, but you'll need a car for many daily activities. Most of the area is car-oriented and suburban in character.
What is the average rent in West Hills?+
A new lease in West Hills typically asks around $3,272 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $3,158 (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 West Hills?+
West Hills 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 West Hills?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to West Hills are Walnut, Walnut, Palos Verdes Estates and South Newport Beach.