Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Westlake
How Westlake scores for you
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How it scores overall
Scored for a typical renter — better than 3% of LA neighborhoods overall. Take the quiz to see how it scores for you.
Westlake is a dense, urban neighborhood in central Los Angeles with a straightforward character. It ranks in the bottom tier of LA neighborhoods overall, reflecting real tradeoffs in air quality and tree cover that come with its location near major traffic corridors. Rents here run about $1,481 per month on average, ranking 22nd cheapest of 114 LA neighborhoods and notably below the LA median of $1,944.
The neighborhood offers basic walkability for everyday errands, with about 5-6 restaurants, a grocery store, and a coffee shop within a short walk. You'll find chains like Food 4 Less and Starbucks alongside local spots like El Burrito Panzon and Alchemist Coffee Project. Parks including MacArthur Park and Lake Street Park provide some green space, though the area is predominantly concrete with only about 1.7% tree canopy.
Living here
Day-to-day life here centers on practical accessibility rather than leisure appeal. Public transit is minimal (ranking 26th of 114), so a car is strongly recommended for getting around. Traffic exposure ranks slightly above average for LA, and air quality is notably poor, ranking 102nd of 114 neighborhoods due to high diesel PM exposure from nearby corridors. Walking to basic needs is feasible, but you'll depend on driving for most activities beyond the immediate area.
The neighborhood has an urban, built-up feel with limited shade and greenery. Summer heat can be intense given the minimal tree cover. Noise from traffic is a regular presence. This is fundamentally a practical place to live focused on affordability and access to essential services, not on neighborhood amenities or environment quality.
Who it's for
Westlake suits renters prioritizing low cost over neighborhood quality and those who don't mind heavy car dependence. It works for people with flexibility about air quality and traffic exposure, or those spending most of their time elsewhere. The cheap rents attract budget-conscious renters, but anyone sensitive to air pollution or seeking green space and tree cover should seriously consider neighborhoods ranking higher on those measures.
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: 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 Westlake
El C Lollo Meat Market · Food 4 Less · Grocery Outlet · Northgate Market
Starbucks · Vees Cafe · Alchemist Coffee Project
El Burrito Panzon · RTR Express · Original Tommy's Hamburgers · McDonald's
Lake Street Park · MacArthur Park · Rockwood Park · Unidad Park
Orangetheory Fitness
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Similar neighborhoods
88 apartments available in Westlake
Median asking rent $2,012/mo, starting at $780/mo.
Take the quiz to see your matchesFrequently asked questions
How much does rent cost in Westlake?+
Median rent is about $1,481 per month, ranking 22nd cheapest of 114 LA neighborhoods and roughly $535 below the LA average. Current listings range from as low as $780 to over $2,000, with a median listing price of $2,012.
Is Westlake walkable?+
Westlake ranks 42nd of 114 in walkability, meaning it's walkable for some errands but a car is useful for others. You can reach restaurants, groceries, and coffee within a short walk, but most trips beyond these basics will require driving.
Do I need a car in Westlake?+
Yes, a car is strongly recommended. Public transit ranks 26th of 114, making it minimal and unreliable for regular commuting. Most residents depend on driving for work, entertainment, and anything beyond immediate neighborhood needs.
What's the air quality like?+
Air quality is a significant concern. Westlake ranks 102nd of 114 neighborhoods for air quality, with high diesel PM exposure from nearby traffic corridors. This is in the top quartile for pollution exposure in California, so it's a real consideration if you're sensitive to air quality.
What is the average rent in Westlake?+
Typical rent in Westlake is around $1,481 per month based on Census (ACS) data. Among 88 current listings on Saktoo, the median asking rent is $2,012.
How is the air quality in Westlake?+
Westlake has high diesel PM exposure, top quartile in California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 86 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Westlake?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Westlake are South Park, Pico-Union, Central-Alameda and Vermont Knolls.
How many apartments are available in Westlake?+
Saktoo currently tracks 88 active listings in Westlake, starting at $780 per month.