Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Florence
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Florence
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 Florence scores for you
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Florence is a densely populated South Los Angeles neighborhood home to over 46,000 residents. It sits in the middle of LA's urban core, where the street grid is tight, storefronts line the blocks, and most residents live in multi-family buildings. The area has the urban character and walkability you'd expect from a compact, established neighborhood.
Day-to-day life here runs on a neighborhood scale. Groceries, coffee, and restaurants are within a short walk for many errands, though you will need a car for longer trips or to access rail transit, which is not nearby. Florence ranks 15th of 114 LA neighborhoods for median rent, meaning housing costs here are notably lower than the LA average of about $2,016, making it one of the more affordable places to rent in the city.
Living here
Getting around on foot works for nearby errands, but Florence is not as walkable as some LA neighborhoods. You can reach about 1 grocery store, 1 coffee spot, and 3 restaurants on a typical short walk, and there is 1 park nearby within walking distance. However, Florence has very limited tree cover (1.3%, compared to an LA average of 6.2%), so the streetscape is predominantly concrete. You will encounter above-average traffic on some corridors, and air quality is moderate, with diesel PM exposure in the 67th percentile for California.
A car is essential for most residents here. There are no rail stations in or adjacent to Florence, and transit access ranks 74th of 114 LA neighborhoods. If you rely on public transit, you will face longer waits and transfers. The neighborhood's density is above the LA average, so parking can be competitive, and street life is active and busy during the day.
Who it's for
Florence appeals to renters prioritizing affordability over transit access and outdoor amenities. If you work locally, can drive, and want to be in a vibrant urban neighborhood without paying premium rent, Florence is a practical choice. It is less suitable for those who depend on Metro rail, value tree-lined streets, or need easy car parking. Families and those with long commutes to other parts of LA may find the lack of transit a real constraint.
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 Florence
Population
53,177
Renters
71%
of households rent
Median age
31
Median income
$53k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Florence
11 public schools sit inside this area · 11 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loren Miller Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 28% | 28% |
| McKinley Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 22% | 16% |
| Seventy-Fifth Street Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 35% | 37% |
| Sixty-First Street Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 42% | 48% |
| Sixty-Sixth Street Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 39% | 46% |
| South Park Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 25% | 22% |
| Mary McLeod Bethune Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 24% | 19% |
| Communication and Technology at Diego Rivera Learning Complex High School | 9-12 | 55% | 24% |
| Diego Rivera Learning Complex Green Design STEAM Academy High School | 9-12 | 54% | 19% |
| John C. Fremont Senior High High School | 9-12 | 32% | 14% |
| Performing Arts Community at Diego Rivera Learning Complex High School | 9-12 | 41% | 13% |
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 Florence
El Super · Northgate Market · Numero Uno Market
Starbucks
Cafetales Junior · Church's Chicken · Fatburger · Golden Ox
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Florence
What the census says about Florence
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Florence; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 41 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 79%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1954
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 24%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 4%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 86%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 49%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 3,827
- total housing units
Averaged across 9 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Florence in the regional index
How Florence places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where home prices go furthest
Ranks #11 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where rent goes furthest
Ranks #18 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- The areas with no affordable escape from pollution
Ranks #18 of 262 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Florence
Found a place you like? Score it against your priorities to see how well any address fits your budget and commute.
Frequently asked questions
What is the rent for a new lease in Florence?+
New leases in Florence start around $2,565 per month as of May 2026, up 2.1% from the prior year. Current residents pay a median of $1,418 because that includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants. If you are moving in, budget from the asking rent of $2,565.
Is there public transit in Florence?+
No. Florence has no nearby Metro rail stations, and transit access ranks 74th of 114 LA neighborhoods. Public transit is minimal, and a car is strongly recommended for getting around the city.
Can I walk to groceries and restaurants?+
Yes, for nearby errands. You can reach about 1 grocery, 1 coffee shop, and 3 restaurants on a typical short walk. However, the neighborhood has minimal tree cover, so many walks are exposed to sun and concrete.
How is the air quality?+
Air quality is moderate. Florence ranks 76th of 114 LA neighborhoods for PM exposure, putting it in the middle range for diesel and particulate pollution. It is above the LA average in terms of air quality exposure.
Is Florence walkable?+
Florence ranks #108 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Florence?+
A new lease in Florence typically asks around $2,565 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $1,418 (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 Florence?+
Florence has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 68 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Florence?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Florence are Vermont Knolls, Bell, South Park and Vermont-Slauson.