Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Chesterfield Square
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Chesterfield Square
Why two numbers? Long-term tenants (often in rent-stabilized units) pay less than today's asking prices. Budget from the asking rent, not the resident median.
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 Chesterfield Square scores for you
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Chesterfield Square is a compact residential neighborhood in South Los Angeles, centered around the tree-lined park that gives it its name. The area is known for its community spaces, including Chesterfield Square Park and the Van Ness Recreation Center, which anchor neighborhood life. It is a working-class area with a solid foundation of local services and a walkable street grid.
The neighborhood sits in the lower-density part of South LA, meaning you will have more breathing room than in denser central parts of the city. Rents here rank among the lowest of the 114 neighborhoods we track (4th most affordable), making it one of LA's better deals for renters watching their budget. Be aware upfront that this is not a tree-filled or transit-connected area, and traffic exposure is higher than average.
Living here
Daily life in Chesterfield Square centers on neighborhood essentials within walking distance. Most grocery shopping, a coffee shop, and casual dining options are nearby, with Food 4 Less and Chesterfield Square Park within a short walk. The neighborhood rates in the middle range for walkability (28th of 114), so you can handle most errands on foot, though having a car is strongly recommended due to minimal transit access (75th of 114 for transit). The 14th-best traffic conditions in LA means you will encounter above-average congestion on main corridors, and air quality sits below the California median for diesel PM exposure.
The streetscape is predominantly concrete with almost no tree canopy (113th of 114), so summers feel hotter than in greener parts of the city. The neighborhood is residential and quiet outside of traffic corridors, with a real sense of community anchored by the recreation center and park.
Who it's for
Chesterfield Square works best for renters prioritizing affordability and basic walkability over transit convenience and urban amenities. It appeals to those with reliable cars who want lower monthly costs, families using the Van Ness Recreation Center, and anyone seeking a calmer residential environment away from denser neighborhoods. It is not ideal if you depend on public transit, work in a transit-accessible area, or want abundant shopping, dining, and nightlife options within walking distance.
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: most daily errands can be done on foot.
High intersection density and destination access. The kind of area where a car is optional for daily life.
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 Chesterfield Square
Population
6,441
Renters
51%
of households rent
Median age
39
Median income
$56k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Chesterfield Square
1 public school sit inside this area · 1 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horace Mann UCLA Community Elementary-High Combination | 6-12 | 21% | 19% |
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 Chesterfield Square
Food 4 Less
Starbucks
Burger Palace · IHOP · Jack in the Box · Jamba
Chesterfield Square Park
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Similar neighborhoods
Manchester Square
~$2,489/mo
#138 of 346 for walkability
Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw
~$2,584/mo
#77 of 346 for walkability
Gramercy Park
~$2,489/mo
#15 of 346 for walkability
Hyde Park
~$2,318/mo
#131 of 346 for walkability
Next to Chesterfield Square
What the census says about Chesterfield Square
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Chesterfield Square; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 39 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 81%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1941
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 9%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 4%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 87%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 59%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 1,022
- total housing units
Averaged across 3 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Chesterfield Square in the regional index
How Chesterfield Square places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Low rent and clean air together
Ranks #9 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where rent goes furthest
Ranks #16 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Cheap rent without needing a car
Ranks #36 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Chesterfield Square
Found a place you like? Score it against your priorities to see how well any address fits your budget and commute.
Frequently asked questions
How much is rent in Chesterfield Square?+
New leases average about $2,485 per month as of May 2026, which is significantly lower than the LA average of about $2,016. This makes Chesterfield Square the 4th most affordable neighborhood we track. Current residents pay a median of $1,252, but that reflects long-term and rent-stabilized tenants; budget from the asking rent if you are moving in today.
Do I need a car here?+
Yes, a car is strongly recommended. There are no nearby Metro rail stations, and transit access ranks 75th of 114 neighborhoods. Most daily errands can be done on foot, but getting anywhere else will require driving.
What is the air quality and tree cover like?+
Air quality is below the California median for diesel PM exposure, and the neighborhood has almost zero tree canopy (113th of 114). This makes summers hot and reduces air quality benefits from shade. If clean air and greenery are priorities, nearby neighborhoods like Hyde Park and Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw have similar affordability with better conditions.
Is the neighborhood walkable?+
Chesterfield Square ranks 28th of 114 for walkability, meaning most daily errands like groceries and coffee are within a short walk. However, it is less walkable than the LA median and lacks the shops, restaurants, and services of more central neighborhoods, so a car is still essential for broader lifestyle needs.
Is Chesterfield Square walkable?+
Chesterfield Square ranks #34 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, most daily errands can be done on foot.
What is the average rent in Chesterfield Square?+
A new lease in Chesterfield Square typically asks around $2,485 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $1,252 (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 Chesterfield Square?+
Chesterfield Square has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 40 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Chesterfield Square?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Chesterfield Square are Manchester Square, Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw, Gramercy Park and Hyde Park.