Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Mission Hills
How Mission Hills scores for you
Checking your quiz profile…
How it scores overall
Scored for a typical renter — better than 66% of LA neighborhoods overall. Take the quiz to see how it scores for you.
Mission Hills is a residential neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley with a straightforward character. The area is defined by its open streetscape, relatively affordable rents, and car-dependent layout. You'll find a mix of single-family homes and multi-unit buildings spread across a loosely organized grid.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Mission Hills centers around driving. You'll have restaurants within a short walk (about 6 nearby, including Presidente, Little Caesars, and Popeyes) and basic groceries at Vallarta or Vons, but most errands benefit from a car. Coffee shops like Starbucks are accessible, and there's a 24 Hour Fitness for gym access. The neighborhood has minimal tree cover (about 2% canopy compared to 6% LA average), so summers feel hot and exposed.
Air quality and traffic are the main drawbacks here. The area ranks 87th of 114 LA neighborhoods for air quality, with high diesel PM exposure typical of the Valley. Traffic exposure ranks 103rd out of 114, meaning this is a high-traffic corridor. The tradeoff is affordability: median rent is about $1,739, roughly 14% below the LA average and ranks 42nd of 114 neighborhoods.
Who it's for
Mission Hills works best for renters who need affordable housing, can navigate without strong public transit (which ranks 110th out of 114 neighborhoods here), and don't mind an open, exposed streetscape with heavy traffic. It's practical for people working nearby in the Valley or those prioritizing cost over urban amenities or environmental factors.
Environment & livability
Air quality: high diesel PM exposure, top quartile in California.
Linked to elevated respiratory and cardiovascular risk in long-term residents. See the air quality flag for more detail.
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: 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.
Around Mission Hills
Vallarta · Vons
Starbucks · Donut & Sandwich Station
Presidente Restaurant · Little Caesars · Subway · Popeyes
Memory Garden
24 Hour Fitness
Check your commute from Mission Hills
Enter your work (or any) address for real travel times from this neighborhood.
Similar neighborhoods
Frequently asked questions
Can I get by without a car in Mission Hills?+
Not comfortably. The neighborhood ranks 110th out of 114 for transit access and 78th for walkability. You can walk to some restaurants and shops, but a car is strongly recommended for most trips.
How's the air quality here?+
Mission Hills ranks 87th of 114 neighborhoods for air quality. It's in the top quartile for diesel PM exposure in California, which is a real consideration if you have respiratory concerns or spend time outdoors regularly.
What's the rent situation?+
Median rent is about $1,739, which is roughly 14% cheaper than the LA average. The neighborhood ranks 42nd of 114, making it more affordable than most LA neighborhoods but not the cheapest option overall.
Is there much to do nearby?+
Basic amenities are within a short walk (about 6 restaurants, 1 grocery store, 1 coffee shop, and Memory Garden park), but the area has limited nightlife and cultural venues. It's primarily residential.
Is Mission Hills walkable?+
Mission Hills ranks #78 of 114 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Mission Hills?+
Typical rent in Mission Hills is around $1,739 per month based on Census (ACS) data.
How is the air quality in Mission Hills?+
Mission Hills has high diesel PM exposure, top quartile in California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 75 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Mission Hills?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Mission Hills are Sun Valley, Pacoima, Harbor Gateway and Harbor City.