Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Northridge
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Northridge
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 Northridge scores for you
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Northridge is a San Fernando Valley neighborhood anchored by California State University, Northridge, which shapes much of its character and energy. The area sits in a car-oriented part of LA, with shopping centered around the Northridge Fashion Center and local strip malls rather than walkable clusters.
The neighborhood is primarily residential and student-oriented, with a mix of apartment complexes, single-family homes, and rental units serving the university and working families. It's quieter and more sprawling than central LA, with wide streets and lower density than many other parts of the city.
Living here
Daily life in Northridge centers around driving. You'll have about 8 restaurants and 2 coffee shops within a short walk, plus a grocery store and gym, so some errands are manageable on foot, but most trips require a car. There's no nearby Metro rail, and transit ranks 99th out of 114 LA neighborhoods, so public transportation is not a practical option here. Traffic exposure is above average, and tree cover is minimal, so summer heat and street-level pollution are noticeable.
The air quality is better than the LA median, ranking 22nd citywide, which is a genuine plus for respiratory health. Walkability is slightly above average for LA, ranking 55th, but that still means you'll depend on a car for groceries, dining variety, and getting around. Northridge Park and Vanalden Park offer green space, though they're small.
Who it's for
Northridge works best for students attending CSUN, families prioritizing affordability over walkability, and renters who don't mind driving for most errands. It's a practical choice if you value relative quiet and cleaner air over urban convenience, and if you have reliable transportation.
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: 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 Northridge
Population
41,887
Renters
51%
of households rent
Median age
39
Median income
$100k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Northridge
12 public schools sit inside this area · 12 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andasol Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 55% | 48% |
| Calahan Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 47% | 41% |
| Cantara Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 47% | 50% |
| Dearborn Elementary Charter AcademyCharter Elementary | K-5 | 61% | 58% |
| Magnolia Science Academy 7Charter Elementary | K-5 | 50% | 46% |
| Napa Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 35% | 32% |
| Parthenia Academy of Arts and Technology Elementary | K-5 | 30% | 37% |
| Topeka Charter School for Advanced StudiesCharter Elementary | K-5 | 71% | 70% |
| Alfred B. Nobel Charter MiddleCharter Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 74% | 66% |
| Northridge Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 34% | 15% |
| Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 67% | 63% |
| Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences High School | 9-12 | 66% | 27% |
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 Northridge
Albertsons · ALDI · Boba Tea House · Mitsuwa Marketplace
85°C · Barclay's Coffee and Tea · Boba My Tea · Bon Bon Tea House
2 Die For Sushi · A&W Seafood · Aeropostale;Subway · Agua Cabana
Aliso Creek Pocket Park · Dearborn Park · Kinesthetics · Northridge Park
24 Hour Fitness · Crunch Fitness · EōS Fitness · Figue Madera Pilates
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Next to Northridge
What the census says about Northridge
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Northridge; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 34 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 72%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1968
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 9%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 7%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 94%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 59%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 15,578
- total housing units
Averaged across 29 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Northridge in the regional index
How Northridge places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- The areas with no affordable escape from pollution
Ranks #60 of 262 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #83 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Northridge
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Frequently asked questions
What does rent cost in Northridge right now?+
New leases average about $2,599 per month as of May 2026, which is slightly above the LA median of $1,944. Current residents pay a median of $2,254, but that includes long-term and subsidized tenants; budget for the asking rent if you're moving in.
Do I need a car in Northridge?+
Yes. There's no Metro rail nearby, and transit scores very low (99th out of 114 neighborhoods). While you can walk to some restaurants and shops, most errands and any trip beyond immediate blocks require a car.
How's the air quality?+
Northridge ranks 22nd out of 114 LA neighborhoods for air quality and sits below the California median for diesel PM exposure, making it noticeably cleaner than many other parts of LA, especially central neighborhoods.
Is Northridge walkable?+
Somewhat. It ranks 55th of 114 LA neighborhoods, so you can handle some errands on foot, but the neighborhood is spread out and car-dependent. Expect concrete and minimal tree cover, especially in summer.
What is the average rent in Northridge?+
A new lease in Northridge typically asks around $2,599 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $2,254 (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 Northridge?+
Northridge has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 41 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Northridge?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Northridge are Rowland Heights, Temple City, North El Monte and Burbank.