Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Westwood
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Westwood
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 Westwood scores for you
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Westwood is a residential and commercial neighborhood on the Westside anchored by UCLA and Westwood Village, a major regional hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment. The area draws a mix of students, young professionals, and families who value proximity to the university and the walkable village district.
The neighborhood sits in the middle of the pack for overall livability in LA. Rents here rank among the highest in the city (rank 109 of 114), averaging about $3,306 for a new lease as of May 2026. While Westwood offers strong tree canopy coverage (rank 8 of 114) and good amenities density (rank 9 of 114), it trades off car convenience and air quality for those assets.
Living here
Day-to-day life centers on Westwood Village and UCLA. You can walk to about 13 restaurants, 4 coffee shops, and 2 parks within a short walk. Grocery options include Trader Joe's, Ralphs, and 99 Ranch Market. However, Westwood is car-dependent overall (transit ranks 34 of 114, with no rail stations nearby), so most errands beyond the village require a vehicle. Traffic exposure is above average for LA (rank 77 of 114), and air quality is poor compared to the city baseline (rank 90 of 114), with elevated diesel PM exposure.
The tree canopy makes residential streets pleasant, and you will find fitness options like John Wooden Center, Mastery, and several Pilates studios nearby. The tradeoff is that high foot traffic around UCLA and the village can feel crowded, especially during the school year, and the premium rent reflects the neighborhood's popularity rather than exceptional walkability or transit access.
Who it's for
Westwood suits students and young professionals who want proximity to UCLA, the entertainment and dining scene at Westwood Village, and don't mind a car-dependent lifestyle. It also works for renters willing to pay a top-tier price (about 64 percent above the LA median rent) for moderate walkability, strong tree cover, and strong amenities. Families may find the area appealing but should budget accordingly and expect to drive for most non-village errands.
Environment & livability
Air quality: high diesel PM exposure, top quartile in California.
Linked to elevated respiratory and cardiovascular risk in long-term residents. See the air quality flag for more detail.
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: moderate tree cover for the area.
Some shade and green presence on most blocks, above average for dense urban LA neighborhoods.
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 Westwood
Population
31,556
Renters
58%
of households rent
Median age
32
Median income
$114k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Westwood
4 public schools sit inside this area · 4 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Rodeo Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 78% | 80% |
| Fairburn Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 74% | 79% |
| Warner Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 83% | 82% |
| Emerson Community CharterCharter Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 60% | 44% |
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 Westwood
99 Ranch Market · Bristol Farms · Eataly · Ralphs
Bluestone Lane · Bruin Buzz · Bruin Cafe · C+M
Asuka · Attari · Au Bon Pain · Bella Pita
Court of Sciences · Dickson Court North · Dickson Court South · Holmby Park
CorePower Yoga · John Wooden Center · Mastery · Mighty Pilates
Check your commute from Westwood
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Similar neighborhoods
Mar Vista
~$3,036/mo
#121 of 346 for walkability
Walnut Village
#187 of 346 for walkability
West Hollywood
#11 of 346 for walkability
University Park
~$2,119/mo
#126 of 346 for walkability
Next to Westwood
What the census says about Westwood
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Westwood; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 24 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 57%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1965
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 3%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 19%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 93%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 34%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 8,167
- total housing units
Averaged across 13 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Westwood in the regional index
How Westwood places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Plenty nearby, easy to get around
Ranks #25 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #45 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where police report the fewest incidents
Ranks #45 of 254 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Westwood
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Frequently asked questions
Is Westwood walkable?+
Westwood is walkable for some errands, particularly in and around Westwood Village where restaurants, shops, and cafes cluster. For most other needs, especially groceries and services outside the village, you will want a car. Walkability ranks 82 of 114 neighborhoods in LA, slightly below the city average.
Do I need a car in Westwood?+
Yes, a car is strongly recommended. There are no Metro rail stations nearby, and transit access is minimal (rank 34 of 114). While some residents do rely on buses for getting to UCLA or the village, most errands and commutes require personal transportation.
How much is rent in Westwood?+
New leases average about $3,306 per month as of May 2026, making Westwood one of the priciest neighborhoods in LA (rank 109 of 114). Current residents pay a median of about $2,997, but that figure includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants. Budget from the asking rent if you are searching for a new place. Studio rents start around $2,134; one-bedrooms around $2,432; two-bedrooms and three-bedrooms at about $3,501.
What is the air quality like?+
Air quality in Westwood is poor by LA standards (rank 90 of 114), with high diesel PM exposure placing it in the top quartile for pollution in California. If air quality is a priority, this may not be the best fit.
What is the average rent in Westwood?+
A new lease in Westwood typically asks around $3,306 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $2,914 (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 Westwood?+
Westwood has high diesel PM exposure, top quartile in California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 79 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Westwood?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Westwood are Mar Vista, Walnut Village, West Hollywood and University Park.