Los Angeles neighborhood guide
El Sereno
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in El Sereno
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 El Sereno scores for you
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El Sereno is a Eastside Los Angeles neighborhood characterized by residential streets, local parks, and a car-dependent layout. It sits in a quieter part of the city with moderate traffic exposure and below-average air quality for the region, though still healthier than many denser LA areas.
The neighborhood ranks 29th of 114 for rent affordability in LA, with new leases running about $2,717 per month on average, up 4.4 percent year-over-year. Current residents pay a median of about $1,572, reflecting a mix of long-term and newer tenants. For context, a new lease in Los Angeles averages around $2,016, so El Sereno sits slightly above that median.
Living here
Daily life in El Sereno centers on your car. The neighborhood has minimal public transit access with no nearby Metro rail stations, and walkability ranks 94th of 114, meaning you can handle some errands on foot but will need to drive for most trips. Traffic is lighter than average for LA (ranking 12th of 114 for lower exposure), which makes commuting easier when you do drive.
Amenities are sparse compared to other neighborhoods, ranking 109th of 114 for overall access. Within a short walk you might find about one coffee shop and one gym, roughly 1.7 restaurants, and 1.5 parks. Tree canopy is limited at 5.8 percent, so the streetscape is mostly concrete. Parks like El Sereno Recreation Center and Triangle Park offer some green space, but the overall character is car-oriented and low-density residential.
Who it's for
El Sereno works best for renters who have reliable transportation and prioritize affordability over walkability. If you work in a location requiring a car anyway and want to avoid heavy traffic, the reasonable congestion levels and lower rents compared to central LA make it a practical choice. It's less suitable for someone relying on transit or seeking walkable urban amenities.
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: moderate traffic exposure, below the state median.
Traffic proximity here is better than average for California.
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 El Sereno
Population
36,996
Renters
45%
of households rent
Median age
37
Median income
$77k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in El Sereno
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Sereno Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 43% | 34% |
| Farmdale Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 45% | 44% |
| Oakland Street Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 30% | 30% |
| Sierra Park Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 33% | 32% |
| El Sereno Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 46% | 41% |
| Woodrow Wilson Senior High High School | 9-12 | 67% | 22% |
| Anahuacalmecac International University Preparatory of North AmericaCharter Elementary-High Combination | K-12 | 47% | 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 El Sereno
Holy Grounds Coffee & Tea
Carl's Jr. · Domino's · Jack in the Box · McDonald's
El Sereno Arroyo Playground · El Sereno Recreation Center · Guardia Park · Triangle Park
Recreation Fitness Center
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Next to El Sereno
What the census says about El Sereno
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe El Sereno; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 33 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 79%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1952
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 13%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 6%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 91%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 67%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 6,864
- total housing units
Averaged across 13 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
El Sereno in the regional index
How El Sereno places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Low rent and clean air together
Ranks #22 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where rent goes furthest
Ranks #53 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Tree cover, clean air, little traffic
Ranks #61 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in El Sereno
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in El Sereno?+
Yes. The neighborhood has no nearby Metro rail and ranks 94th of 114 for walkability, so a car is essential for most errands and activities. Transit access is minimal.
What's the rent here compared to other LA neighborhoods?+
New leases average about $2,717 per month, which ranks 29th of 114 for affordability. That's slightly higher than the LA average of $2,016, but more affordable than many central LA areas. One-bedroom units typically rent around $1,323 based on current residents.
Is the air quality and traffic okay?+
Traffic exposure is moderate and better than average, ranking 12th of 114 for lower congestion. Air quality is below the California median for diesel PM exposure, ranking 36th of 114, so it's a mixed picture, lighter traffic but slightly worse air.
What amenities and parks are nearby?+
Within a short walk you'll find about one coffee shop, roughly 1.7 restaurants, one gym, and about 1.5 parks including El Sereno Recreation Center. Overall amenities rank 109th of 114, so options are limited and you'll rely on driving for most services.
How walkable is the neighborhood for daily errands?+
Walkability ranks 94th of 114, so it's not very walkable. You can handle some errands on foot, but you'll need a car for groceries, shopping, and most services.
Is El Sereno walkable?+
El Sereno ranks #238 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in El Sereno?+
A new lease in El Sereno typically asks around $2,717 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $1,572 (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 El Sereno?+
El Sereno has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 48 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to El Sereno?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to El Sereno are South San Jose Hills, East Whittier, Westmont and South San Gabriel.