Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Windsor Square
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Windsor Square
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 Windsor Square scores for you
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Windsor Square is a small, historic neighborhood in the Wilshire region known for its tree-lined streets and diverse, established community. The area is home to the official residence of the mayor of Los Angeles, lending it a sense of civic importance and stability. With older housing stock and a median resident age above the city average, the neighborhood has a settled, residential character distinct from more transient parts of LA.
Despite its modest size and limited commercial footprint, Windsor Square offers a quiet alternative to busier surrounding areas. The neighborhood ranks 23rd of 114 LA neighborhoods overall, placing it in the middle tier for livability. Its strength lies in relative walkability and tree canopy coverage, though it trades urban convenience for a more residential, car-dependent feel.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Windsor Square centers on a quiet, residential rhythm. You can handle many errands on foot (the neighborhood ranks 58th of 114 for walkability), but a car is useful for reaching concentrated retail and dining. The area has minimal transit access, with the Metro D Line serving Wilshire/Western and Wilshire/Normandie stations roughly half a mile to a mile away, though public transportation is generally not a primary way to get around here.
The neighborhood offers above-average traffic exposure for LA (ranking 46th of 114) and moderate air quality, typical for an older residential corridor. Tree cover is limited relative to some neighborhoods but better than the LA median, giving some streets a more open feel. Parks like Robert Burns Park provide nearby green space, and the established residential character means you'll find yourself in a quieter pocket of the city, though with fewer immediate amenities than more commercial areas.
Who it's for
Windsor Square suits renters seeking a stable, quiet residential neighborhood with a sense of permanence and community history. It's a good fit if you don't require walkable retail and dining at your doorstep, have regular access to a car, and prefer an older, established area over new development. The modest rent (about $2,200 for a new lease, roughly in line with the LA median) and diverse, settled population make it appealing to those prioritizing residential calm over urban convenience.
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: limited tree cover, mostly open streetscape.
Less canopy means more heat exposure and less visual greenery on daily walks. LA County median is around 14% canopy coverage.
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.
Metro rail
No stations inside Windsor Square, but these are close to its edge.
Who lives in Windsor Square
Population
4,508
Renters
44%
of households rent
Median age
44
Median income
$127k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Around Windsor Square
Robert Burns Park
Check your commute from Windsor Square
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Similar neighborhoods
Valley Village
~$2,625/mo
#22 of 346 for walkability
Montecito Heights
~$2,513/mo
#153 of 346 for walkability
Glassell Park
~$2,769/mo
#242 of 346 for walkability
Cypress Park
~$2,759/mo
#32 of 346 for walkability
Next to Windsor Square
What the census says about Windsor Square
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Windsor Square; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 29 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 75%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1944
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 7%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 5%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 97%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 51%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 970
- total housing units
Averaged across 2 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Finding a place in Windsor Square
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Frequently asked questions
How much is rent in Windsor Square?+
New leases run about $2,200 a month as of May 2026, roughly matching the LA median. Current residents pay around $2,102, which reflects longer-term and stabilized tenants. One-bedroom apartments average $1,992 and two-bedroom units about $2,891.
Do I need a car in Windsor Square?+
Yes, a car is strongly recommended. The neighborhood ranks 73rd of 114 for transit access, and while you can walk some errands (it ranks 58th for walkability), most trips require a car. The Metro D Line stops at Wilshire/Western (about half a mile away) but is not a primary transportation option.
What parks and green space are nearby?+
Robert Burns Park is a vest-pocket park within the neighborhood. Tree canopy is limited (about 11% coverage, but above the LA median of 6%), and a handful of parks are within a short walk, though the area has fewer overall amenities than many LA neighborhoods.
What is the neighborhood known for?+
Windsor Square is historically significant as home to the official residence of the mayor of Los Angeles. It's a small, diverse, and established neighborhood with an older population than LA overall, known for its stable residential character rather than commercial activity.
Is Windsor Square walkable?+
Windsor Square ranks #101 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Windsor Square?+
A new lease in Windsor Square typically asks around $2,200 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $2,102 (Census ACS), which includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants, so expect asking prices closer to the first number.
Does Windsor Square have Metro rail access?+
Not within the neighborhood itself, but Wilshire / Western (Metro D Line) is about 0.5 km from the Windsor Square boundary.
How is the air quality in Windsor Square?+
Windsor Square has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 63 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Windsor Square?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Windsor Square are Valley Village, Montecito Heights, Glassell Park and Cypress Park.