Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Silver Lake
How Silver Lake scores for you
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How it scores overall
Scored for a typical renter — better than 50% of LA neighborhoods overall. Take the quiz to see how it scores for you.
Silver Lake is a walkable, tree-lined neighborhood in central LA where you can handle most errands on foot. The area sits at about the median for overall livability across LA, with more green cover than most neighborhoods but some real tradeoffs on transit and traffic exposure.
The neighborhood has solid restaurant and cafe options within a short walk (about 8 restaurants and 3 cafes per small area), though grocery shopping is more limited. You will need a car here. Traffic is above average for LA, and air quality ranks around the 37th percentile—below the state median for diesel PM exposure.
Living here
Daily life in Silver Lake centers on local shops and walkable streets. You can grab coffee at places like Cafe Nido or Coffee Memes, eat at Barbrix or Gingergrass, and walk to parks like Silver Lake Meadows or Tesla Pocket Park. Whole Foods and Erewhon are nearby for groceries, though options are limited compared to other neighborhoods.
The tradeoff is transit access. With minimal public transportation, a car is strongly recommended. You will also experience above-average traffic exposure, and the air quality is noticeably weaker than neighborhoods to the north and west. Tree cover (about 16% of the area) provides some relief but is only moderate for LA.
Who it's for
Silver Lake works best for renters with a car who value walkable streets and local amenities over transit convenience. The median rent of about $1,953 ranks in the lower-to-middle range for LA, making it affordable relative to more central neighborhoods. It suits people who want some greenery and neighborhood character without needing to rely on public 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: moderate tree cover for the area.
Some shade and green presence on most blocks, above average for dense urban LA neighborhoods.
Walkability: most daily errands can be done on foot.
High intersection density and destination access. The kind of area where a car is optional for daily life.
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 Silver Lake
Whole Foods Market · Erewhon · Virgil Farm MArket
Starbucks · Cafe Nido · Coffee Memes · Bodega Park
Barbrix · Astro Family Restaurant · Gingergrass Silverlake · Good and Nice
Tesla Pocket Park · Silver Lake Meadows Park · Silver Lake Recreation Center · Bellevue Recreation Center
Skyline Healthcare and Wellness Center · Y7 Studio
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Similar neighborhoods
49 apartments available in Silver Lake
Median asking rent $2,795/mo, starting at $1,295/mo.
Take the quiz to see your matchesFrequently asked questions
Can I get around without a car?+
Not easily. Silver Lake ranks 104th out of 114 LA neighborhoods for transit access, and most errands require driving. The area is walkable for daily needs like coffee and dining, but you need a car for most trips.
What's the rent range?+
The median rent is about $1,953, which ranks 59th of 114 neighborhoods (below the LA average of about $2,016). Active listings range from about $1,295 to $2,795, depending on size and condition.
How much tree cover is there?+
Silver Lake has moderate tree coverage at about 16%, which ranks 10th of 114 neighborhoods. It is notably greener than the LA average of about 6%, though still not as shaded as some hillside areas.
What are air quality and traffic like?+
Air quality ranks 37th (below the state median for PM exposure), and traffic percentile is 66.9, meaning above-average congestion exposure. Both are tradeoffs you should weigh if you're sensitive to either.
Is Silver Lake walkable?+
Silver Lake ranks #34 of 114 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, most daily errands can be done on foot.
What is the average rent in Silver Lake?+
Typical rent in Silver Lake is around $1,953 per month based on Census (ACS) data. Among 49 current listings on Saktoo, the median asking rent is $2,795.
How is the air quality in Silver Lake?+
Silver Lake has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 49 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Silver Lake?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Silver Lake are Studio City, Eagle Rock, Hansen Dam and Valley Village.
How many apartments are available in Silver Lake?+
Saktoo currently tracks 49 active listings in Silver Lake, starting at $1,295 per month.