Los Angeles neighborhood guide
North Hills
How North Hills scores for you
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How it scores overall
Scored for a typical renter — better than 11% of LA neighborhoods overall. Take the quiz to see how it scores for you.
North Hills is a sprawling San Fernando Valley neighborhood with a suburban character. It ranks 72nd for rent among LA neighborhoods at about $2,150 a month, just slightly above the LA median. The area is defined by wide streets, low density, and minimal tree cover, creating an open but somewhat bare streetscape.
Day-to-day life here centers on car travel. Public transit ranks 107th of 114 LA neighborhoods, so you'll need a vehicle for most trips. Walkability is below average at 67th of 114, meaning some errands are doable on foot but others require a car. Air quality is moderate for the region, and traffic exposure ranks 79th, meaning roads see heavier use than many neighborhoods.
Living here
North Hills offers affordability relative to many LA areas, with restaurants, grocery stores, and cafes scattered throughout. Within a short walk you'll find about 5 restaurants, 2 grocery stores, and 1-2 coffee shops. Speakeasy Fitness and Nordhoff Recreation Center provide workout and recreation options. The tradeoff is that everything is spread out, so you're constantly driving or planning trips around car availability.
The neighborhood feels open and undeveloped compared to denser areas, with only 2.4 percent tree canopy coverage. This means summer heat and little shade on streets. If you work locally or work from home, the car dependency is less of a burden. If you commute elsewhere in LA, expect freeway traffic, particularly on major corridors.
Who it's for
North Hills works best for renters who have reliable car access, work nearby, or work from home. The low rent and suburban space appeal to people prioritizing affordability and a quieter, spread-out feel over walkability and transit access. It's less suited for anyone dependent on public transportation or seeking a dense, walkable urban neighborhood.
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: 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 North Hills
Sola's African Market · Panadería y Mercado La Fiesta · La Tapachulteca · Seafood City
Lili's Café · San Fernando Coffee Company · Best Donuts · JV Espresso Bar
El Mestizo · McDonald's · Original Tommy's · Fratelli's Italian Restaurant
Nordhoff Recreation Center
Speakeasy Fitness
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in North Hills?+
Yes, strongly. Public transit ranks 107th of 114 LA neighborhoods. While some errands are walkable, most trips require a vehicle. This is the single biggest factor in deciding whether to live here.
Is North Hills affordable compared to the rest of LA?+
Somewhat. Median rent is about $2,150, which ranks 72nd of 114 neighborhoods—just slightly above the LA median of $1,944. You're not getting a major discount, but it's not a premium area either.
What's the food and coffee scene like?+
The neighborhood has decent variety scattered throughout. You'll find about 5 restaurants including El Mestizo, Fratelli's Italian Restaurant, and Original Tommy's, plus multiple coffee shops like San Fernando Coffee Company and JV Espresso Bar. Grocery options include Seafood City, Panader ea y Mercado La Fiesta, and specialty markets.
How much shade and greenery is there?+
Very little. Tree canopy covers only 2.4 percent of the neighborhood, ranking 70th of 114. Most of the landscape is concrete and asphalt, which means minimal shade in summer and a bare streetscape year-round.
Is North Hills walkable?+
North Hills ranks #76 of 114 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in North Hills?+
Typical rent in North Hills is around $2,150 per month based on Census (ACS) data.
How is the air quality in North Hills?+
North Hills has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 63 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to North Hills?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to North Hills are Arleta, Sun Valley, Mission Hills and Pacoima.