Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Westminster
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Westminster
Rent control: Westminsterhas 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 Westminster scores for you
Checking your quiz profile…
Score Westminster 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 Westminster against every neighborhood.
Westminster is a residential area in western Orange County with a suburban, car-dependent character. Originally settled in 1870 as a temperance colony, it has evolved into a diverse neighborhood with a strong Asian commercial and cultural presence, particularly Vietnamese businesses and restaurants that anchor the local community.
Day-to-day life here centers on strip malls, family-owned shops, and neighborhood parks rather than walkable downtown streets. The area sits inland from the coast, with moderate air quality and above-average traffic exposure typical of Orange County corridors.
Living here
You can handle some daily errands on foot, but a car is necessary for most trips. Transit is minimal, with no nearby rail stations, so you'll rely on driving to reach jobs, schools, or entertainment beyond the immediate area. Restaurants and groceries are within a short walk of many units, and small parks like Coronet Park and Westminster Park provide neighborhood greenspace, though tree cover is sparse throughout.
The pace is quiet and family-oriented. Rent is close to the regional median at around $2,350 for current residents, putting the area in the middle of Orange County's rental market. Traffic noise and diesel particulate matter are present but not exceptional for the region.
Who it's for
This area suits renters seeking a stable, affordable Orange County neighborhood with good access to Asian markets and restaurants, and who have a car and do not depend on public transit. It works well for families and long-term residents, but is less appealing if you prefer walkable urban streets, short commutes via rail, or abundant park space.
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: 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 Westminster
Population
41,671
Renters
38%
of households rent
Median age
43
Median income
$107k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Westminster
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frank N. Eastwood Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 63% | 59% |
| Leo Carrillo Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 38% | 34% |
| Post Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 63% | 67% |
| Sequoia Academy Gate Magnet Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 57% | 54% |
| Susan B. Anthony Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 71% | 66% |
| James Irvine Intermediate Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 7-9 | 60% | 51% |
| Sarah McGarvin Intermediate Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 7-8 | 76% | 73% |
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 Westminster
ABC Supermarket · Anh Minh · Grocery Outlet · Jon's Marketplace
Cafe Bet · Ding Tea · Hot Vit Long An · Lollicup Fresh Westminster
Bánh cuốn Tây Hồ #4 · Bánh Mì Số 1 · Đệ Nhất Cơm Tấm Thành · Del Taco
Bolsa Chica Park · Bowling Green · Cloverdale Park · Coronet Park
Check your commute from Westminster
Enter your work (or any) address for real travel times from this neighborhood.
Similar neighborhoods
Next to Westminster
What the census says about Westminster
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Westminster; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 31 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 74%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1970
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 8%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 6%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 95%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 66%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 7,476
- total housing units
Averaged across 13 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Westminster in the regional index
How Westminster places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #65 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Westminster
Found a place you like? Score it against your priorities to see how well any address fits your budget and commute.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Westminster?+
Yes, a car is strongly recommended. Public transit is minimal, and while some coffee shops and groceries are within walking distance, most errands and commutes require driving.
What is the rent here compared to the rest of Orange County?+
At around $2,350 for current residents, Westminster is near the regional median, placing it in the middle of the Orange County rental market. It ranks 114th of 210 tracked areas regionally.
What is the air quality like?+
Air quality is moderate, with above-average diesel particulate matter exposure typical of Orange County. It ranks 209th of 318 areas regionally.
Are there parks and outdoor spaces nearby?+
Yes, but they are limited in size and tree cover. Coronet Park, Elden F Gillespie Park, and Westminster Park are all within a short drive, but the area has very little canopy coverage overall, so green space feels open and exposed.
Is Westminster walkable?+
Westminster ranks #47 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Westminster?+
Current residents of Westminster pay a median rent of about $2,350 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher. Among 21 current listings on Saktoo, the median asking rent is $2,547.
How is the air quality in Westminster?+
Westminster has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 62 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Westminster?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Westminster are Artesia, Garden Grove, Midtown Westminster and West Garden Grove.
How many apartments are available in Westminster?+
Saktoo currently tracks 21 active listings in Westminster, starting at $1,885 per month.