Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Del Rey
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Del Rey
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 Del Rey scores for you
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Del Rey is a quiet Westside neighborhood tucked between Culver City and Mar Vista, defined by its tree-lined residential streets and mix of single-family homes and apartment buildings. It sits on the border of one of LA's largest public housing complexes, which anchors the community's diversity and long-term resident base. The neighborhood has a distinctly local feel, with family-oriented schools and parks that give it a more settled character than flashier Westside areas.
Walking around Del Rey, you'll notice lower building density than central LA and plenty of street parking, but also less shade from mature trees than older neighborhoods in the region. It's a place where people stay put, whether in rent-controlled units or newer market-rate apartments. The commercial strips along main corridors offer solid restaurant and coffee options without the premium pricing of nearby coastal or trendy areas.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Del Rey centers on practical routines. You can handle coffee, groceries, and meals on foot or a short drive, with about 5 coffee spots, 8 restaurants, and 3 grocery stores within a short walk across the neighborhood. Parks like Culver Slauson Park and Glen Alla Park are accessible for weekend outings, though tree cover is sparse at under 3 percent. Most residents rely on a car, since public transit access is minimal and the neighborhood ranks 89th out of 114 for transit connections.
The pace is slower and less scene-focused than areas closer to the beach or downtown. Traffic here is slightly above LA average, and air quality is moderate, with occasional diesel PM exposure typical for California's industrial corridors. Rent has risen modestly, about 0.8 percent year-over-year as of May 2026, suggesting the area is not a hotbed of speculation or rapid gentrification.
Who it's for
Del Rey works best for renters who value affordability, stability, and a car-friendly environment over walking or nightlife. It's suited to families with school-age children, people working in the Westside or near the 405, and anyone who wants a quieter residential setting without paying premium prices for it. If you need robust public transit, walkable urban amenities, or dense nightlife, look elsewhere on the Westside.
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 Del Rey
Population
22,280
Renters
68%
of households rent
Median age
38
Median income
$93k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Del Rey
6 public schools sit inside this area · 6 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braddock Drive Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 67% | 63% |
| Goethe International CharterCharter Elementary | K-8 | 61% | 50% |
| Ocean CharterCharter Elementary | K-8 | 65% | 48% |
| Short Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 77% | 66% |
| Stoner Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 39% | 46% |
| Marina del Rey Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 34% | 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 Del Rey
Northgate Market · Pavilions · Ralphs · Trader Joe's
Alfred · Cafecita · East Coast Bagels · Le Pain Quotidien
ABC Donuts · Baja Fresh · Burger Lounge · Cafe Brasil
Culver Slauson Park · Culver West Park · Glen Alla Park · Mar Vista Gardens
CorePower Yoga · Orangetheory Fitness
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Del Rey
What the census says about Del Rey
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Del Rey; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 32 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 67%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1969
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 5%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 5%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 90%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 44%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 4,650
- total housing units
Averaged across 8 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Del Rey in the regional index
How Del Rey places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Plenty nearby, easy to get around
Ranks #16 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Cheap rent without needing a car
Ranks #68 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Del Rey
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Frequently asked questions
How much is rent in Del Rey?+
New leases average about $3,245 per month as of May 2026, ranking around mid-range across LA neighborhoods. Current residents pay a median of $2,161, but that reflects long-term and rent-stabilized tenants; budget from the asking rent if you're moving.
Do I need a car here?+
Yes. Del Rey ranks 89th out of 114 neighborhoods for transit and has no nearby Metro rail stations. Most errands are doable on foot, but a car is strongly recommended for getting around reliably.
What's the neighborhood vibe?+
Del Rey is residential and family-oriented, with good schools and parks but limited tree cover and nightlife. It's less trendy and more affordable than adjacent Westside neighborhoods, making it appealing to long-term renters and people prioritizing stability over scene.
Is the air and traffic acceptable?+
Traffic exposure is above average for LA, and air quality ranks 79th out of 114 with moderate diesel PM pollution. Neither is a dealbreaker, but if you're sensitive to these factors, you may want to explore neighborhoods further from industrial corridors.
Is Del Rey walkable?+
Del Rey ranks #73 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Del Rey?+
A new lease in Del Rey typically asks around $3,245 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $2,161 (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 Del Rey?+
Del Rey has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 69 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Del Rey?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Del Rey are West Hollywood, San Gabriel, Sawtelle and Redondo Beach.