Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Pacoima
How Pacoima scores for you
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How it scores overall
Scored for a typical renter — better than 35% of LA neighborhoods overall. Take the quiz to see how it scores for you.
Pacoima is a working-class neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley with a median rent of about $1,826, ranking 53rd of 114 LA neighborhoods (roughly middle-of-the-road pricing). The area is characterized by wide streets, sparse tree cover, and straightforward commercial corridors. Most residents here are car-dependent, with transit options well below the LA average.
Day-to-day life in Pacoima involves a car-heavy routine. You'll find basic amenities within a short walk, including about 3 restaurants, 1 coffee shop, 1 grocery store, and 1 park nearby. The neighborhood ranks 74th for walkability and 100th for transit access, so errands beyond your immediate block typically require driving.
Living here
Pacoima feels functional rather than polished. The open streetscape means less shade and a more exposed feel compared to tree-heavy neighborhoods elsewhere in LA. Air quality here ranks 86th of 114, with above-average diesel PM exposure, and traffic percentile sits at 70th, meaning moderate-to-heavy vehicle congestion at peak times. These are trade-offs baked into the neighborhood's geography and industrial corridor proximity.
Rent is accessible compared to many LA neighborhoods, and you get reasonable space for your money. The tradeoff is relying on your car for most trips and accepting an urban environment with minimal landscaping. For renters okay with a car-dependent, straightforward neighborhood, Pacoima offers genuine affordability without pretense.
Who it's for
Pacoima suits renters prioritizing affordability over walkability and amenities. This is a good fit if you work locally or have reliable transportation, don't rely on public transit, and want lower rent without a long commute. It's less suitable for car-free renters or those seeking dense pedestrian neighborhoods with strong air quality.
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.
Around Pacoima
BuyOutlet · Food 4 Less · Smart & Final
Inicio Coffee Company
Tacos Charly 2 · Royal Donuts & Ice Cream · Coco Hut · Domino's
Kinesthetics · Hubert H. Humphrey Memorial Park · San Fernando Recreation Park · Roger W. Jessup Park
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Similar neighborhoods
Frequently asked questions
How bad is the air quality in Pacoima?+
Air quality ranks 86th of 114 LA neighborhoods, with moderate diesel PM exposure. This reflects the neighborhood's proximity to industrial corridors and the San Fernando Valley's geography. If air quality is a priority, neighborhoods like Los Feliz or Brentwood rank significantly better.
Is Pacoima walkable?+
Pacoima is walkable for some errands and ranks 74th of 114, slightly below the LA average. You can walk to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, and parks, but a car is useful and often necessary for other trips. Transit access is minimal (rank 100), so car ownership is strongly recommended.
What's the rent like compared to other LA neighborhoods?+
Median rent is about $1,826, putting Pacoima roughly middle-of-the-road among LA neighborhoods and about $190 below the LA median. You'll find comparable pricing in neighborhoods like Koreatown or parts of Long Beach, though with different trade-offs on walkability and air quality.
How much tree cover is there?+
Pacoima has very limited tree cover at 2.2%, ranking 78th of 114. The neighborhood is predominantly concrete and asphalt, so expect minimal shade on streets and in parks. This contributes to the open, exposed feel of the streetscape.
What is the average rent in Pacoima?+
Typical rent in Pacoima is around $1,826 per month based on Census (ACS) data.
How is the air quality in Pacoima?+
Pacoima has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 75 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Pacoima?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Pacoima are Mission Hills, Sun Valley, Wilmington and Harbor City.