Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Griffith Park
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Griffith Park
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 Griffith Park scores for you
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Griffith Park is a sprawling residential area built around one of North America's most famous municipal parks. The neighborhood sits at the eastern edge of the Santa Monica Mountains, offering tree-lined streets, views, and direct access to iconic attractions like Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, the Autry Museum, and the Hollywood Sign. It's a place where the park itself shapes daily life and the character of the community.
The area feels residential and quieter than central LA, though you are living in the foothills rather than a dense urban neighborhood. Rent for a new lease runs about $2,709 per month, roughly 34 percent above the LA median. The neighborhood ranks 58th of 114 for rent, placing it in the middle of the market.
Living here
Day-to-day, you'll rely on a car. Public transit is minimal, and the neighborhood ranks 101st of 114 for walkability, meaning most errands require driving. That said, you have a handful of coffee shops and casual restaurants within a short walk, and parks are plentiful (about 1.5 per small walkable area). The tree canopy is modest at 12.2 percent, ranking 17th, so the streets feel more open than heavily shaded.
Traffic is a real factor here. The area ranks 98th of 114 for traffic, placing it in a high-traffic corridor. Air quality is moderate for California (62nd of 114), with moderate diesel PM exposure. If you work or commute outside the neighborhood, expect to drive regularly in conditions that can be congested.
Who it's for
Griffith Park suits renters who want immediate access to the park system and outdoor recreation, and who don't mind driving for most errands. It works well for people prioritizing nature and quiet residential streets over walkability and urban convenience. If you need robust public transit or prefer to run daily errands on foot, this neighborhood will feel isolating and car-dependent.
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: high traffic corridor exposure.
This area is near major traffic corridors, linked to higher noise levels, diesel PM, and reduced street-level comfort.
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.
Who lives in Griffith Park
Population
5
Median age
20
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Griffith Park
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Franklin Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 78% | 72% |
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 Griffith Park
Cafe at the End of the Universe · Franklin's Cafe & Market - Griffith Park · V Boulevard Cafe
Commissary · OG Smash Burger
Bette Davis Picnic Area · Buena Vista Park · Johnny Carson Park · Mountain View Park
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Griffith Park
What the census says about Griffith Park
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Griffith Park; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 27 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 68%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1952
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 5%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 9%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 93%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 56%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 2 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 4,162
- total housing units
Averaged across 9 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Finding a place in Griffith Park
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Frequently asked questions
Is there public transit to Griffith Park?+
There are no Metro rail stations in or near the neighborhood. Transit is minimal, and a car is strongly recommended for getting around.
What is the actual rent here?+
New leases are running about $2,709 per month as of May 2026. Current residents pay a median of $1,948, but that figure includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants; budget from the asking rent if you are moving in.
Can I walk to shops and restaurants?+
Walkability is limited. You can find a coffee shop or casual restaurant within a short walk, but most errands and daily activities require a car. The neighborhood ranks 101st of 114 for walkability.
What is the neighborhood known for?+
Griffith Park is defined by the massive municipal park that borders and cuts through it, home to the Observatory, Zoo, Autry Museum, and the Hollywood Sign. It's a nature-focused area rather than a commercial or entertainment hub.
Is Griffith Park walkable?+
Griffith Park ranks #266 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Griffith Park?+
A new lease in Griffith Park typically asks around $2,709 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $1,948 (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 Griffith Park?+
Griffith Park has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 61 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Griffith Park?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Griffith Park are Hacienda Heights, Rose Hills, Industry and Crestline.