L.A. is an entertainment hub (obviously), but it’s not just movies you get to see here. There’s plenty of live entertainment, including ballets, concerts and plays. Los Angeles is also a culturally diverse city with people streaming in from around the world. Food, art, entertainment and festivals celebrate the city’s rich diversity.
While many people think that moving to California in general — let alone a big city like Los Angeles — is out of their budget, we beg to differ. We’ve gone on the hunt and found some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Los Angeles that offer spectacular amenities while staying within budget.
What is the average rent in Los Angeles?
In 2021, Los Angeles rated No. 77 on a list of the most expensive cities in the world. How does it compare to other cities in the U.S.? According to the Los Angeles Almanac, L.A. is the 16th most expensive city in the country. That said, it’s still cheaper than other California cities (San Francisco, Irvine, Santa Barbara and Oakland) and approximately 25 percent more affordable than the most expensive city in the United States, Honolulu.
How does that translate to rental fees? The average cost of rent in L.A. is $3,910 for a two-bedroom apartment. New and existing renters in the city love it because rental prices are down by 13.37 percent over the past 12 months.
The 10 most affordable neighborhoods in Los Angeles
Are you ready to make the move to L.A.? If so, we have some suggested neighborhoods for you. The following communities are some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, perfect if you’re on a tight budget or just starting out.
10. Hancock Park
- Average 2-BR rent: $2,950
- Rent change since 2021: -16.06 percent
Though Hancock Park isn’t the cheapest of Los Angeles neighborhoods, it’s one of the few communities to decrease over the past 12 months. In fact, of the 53 Los Angeles neighborhoods we evaluated, Hancock Park had the third-highest decrease in 2021.
Apartments for rent in Hancock Park are upscale and perfect for families looking for a centrally-located residential community that’s closer to Downtown L.A. than Beverly Hills or Brentwood.
The neighborhood is one of L.A.’s most prominent. Initially, developers created the community to house celebrities and movie studio executives. Therefore, many homes in the area are expansive with large yards.
Gorgeous, mature palm trees line the street, and you can see the Hollywood sign from your window.
Commutes range from 20-60 minutes by car, though by public transit, they can take up to 80-90 minutes, depending on traffic.
9. Westlake North
Source: Rent./The Visconti
- Average 2-BR rent: $2,931
- Rent change since 2021: -0.16 percent
Another one of the few neighborhoods on our list to have an actual price decrease over the past 12 months is Westlake North. Because it’s one of the cheapest places to live in Los Angeles, it’s a haven for artists and young families. Residents get the best of both worlds here in that they’re close to Downtown L.A., but they get to live here at a much cheaper rate.
The Westland North neighborhood is one of the first residential areas in Los Angeles, rivaling Manhattan’s Upper East Side as an area of affluence.
Residents and visitors who love art, history and excellent food gravitate to Westlake North because of its fantastic eateries and hot entertainment spots. You’ll also find many historic landmarks, including Lafayette Park, MacArthur Park, Temple-Beaudry and Filipinotown. The neighborhood is going through a revitalization process, with artists from the greater Los Angeles area converting abandoned rail tunnels into public murals.
8. Chinatown
- Average 2-BR rent: $2,895
- Rent change since 2021: +7.81 percent
If you want to live in a neighborhood rich in history and tradition but has a cool, modern vibe, look for apartments to rent in Chinatown. The area has traditional pagodas, as well as contemporary art galleries. Residents in the area can range from multiple generations of Chinese families to hipsters looking for apartments in the cheapest neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
Chinatown is home to the most famous restaurants in L.A., including The Original Philippe and The Little Jewel of New Orleans, famous for French Dip sandwiches and delectable Cajun food.
Bordering Chinatown is Echo Park and Downtown L.A., and most commutes average five to 20 minutes depending on your mode of transportation.
There are several public schools in the area, and parents of Chinatown give the schools above-average ratings.
7. North Valley
- Average 2-BR rent: $2,878
- Rent change since 2021: +1.52 percent
While most of the neighborhoods on our list had significant increases in rental fees in 2021, North Valley had the lowest increase overall, making it one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
North Valley is in the northern part of the San Fernando Valley, and residents often call it the Deep Valley. This neighborhood is home to the second-largest park in L.A., O’Melveny Park, which you’ll find off Balboa Boulevard. The park is beautiful, lush and clean with picnic tables, restrooms and paved paths. A steep, six-mile loop trail in the park will provide you with a great workout!
The neighborhood is ideal for retirees and families, with plenty of activities for all, including a trampoline park for the kids and a golf course for the grownups.
6. Northridge
- Average 2-BR rent: $2,728
- Rent change since 2021: +15.39 percent
Despite being one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, residents often refer to Northridge as the jewel of San Fernando Valley. Though 60,000 people call it home, Northridge is still one of the least populated neighborhoods in L.A.
Check on any community ranking site, and you’ll find that Northridge always receives an A or A+ rating. Residents love living here because of the gorgeous weather, as well as the fantastic shopping. The Northridge Fashion Center is the largest mall in the area, and it will meet just about all your needs — if not more!
Another reason this neighborhood ranks so high is because of the housing. Apartments for rent in Northridge are affordable, well-kept, safe, modern and have attractive architectural features.
5. Northridge East
- Average 2-BR rent: $2,591
- Rent change since 2021: +9.42 percent
If you’re a student of California State University – Northridge, you’ll probably want to start looking for apartments for rent in Northridge East. Not only is the university located right in the middle of this area, but Northridge East is also one of the cheapest neighborhoods in L.A. That’s a win-win for college students because living near the school will help you save time and money.
Also nearby is Aliso Canyon Park, a (mostly) undeveloped space with rugged trails for hiking and horseback riding. They also have bike paths. Spending time here is a great way to get some exercise, spend time in the great outdoors (which is excellent for your health!) and get some peace and quiet from city living.
The Northridge East Neighborhood Council is also very active and helps improve the community’s business climate and quality of life.
4. Park La Brea
- Average 2-BR rent: $2,533
- Rent change since 2021: +3.13 percent
You might think that moving to one of the cheapest places to live in Los Angeles would mean you have to compromise on things like luxury amenities. Actually, that’s not the case, especially if you move to the Park La Brea neighborhood. This stunning community consists of an interesting mix of modern high-rise apartments, townhouses and garden cottages.
The Park La Brea neighborhood is in the heart of L.A., just adjacent to West Hollywood – a place you might never guess would have some of the most affordable apartments in the city. But it does, and the amenities provided in this facility are truly impressive. Of course, that’s in addition to some of the most drop-dead gorgeous views in the city.
The community does its best to stay up-to-date with upscale and urban chic amenities, including a saltwater pool. There’s also a four-acre park nearby, as well as garden cafés.
3. Victor Heights
Source: Rent./Victor Heights
- Average 2-BR rent: $2,507
- Rent change since 2021: +11.42 percent
Another hidden gem that’s one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Los Angeles is Victor Heights, located southeast of Echo Park. The neighborhood is on a sloping hill with a fantastic view of the L.A. skyline.
Victor Heights is a diverse neighborhood with European, Asian and Latino immigrants. Millennials, young professionals and hipsters have taken to the area in recent years, giving it a quirky mix of style and culture.
Speaking of quirky, it’s not unusual to find wild peafowl and feral parrots wandering Victor Heights, adding a tropical twist to the inner city.
2. Greater Valley Glen
Source: Rent./Cedar Glen
- Average 2-BR rent: $2,507
- Rent change since 2021: +8.41 percent
Greater Valley Glen is a modest, suburban community with an urban twist. It’s a lovely neighborhood for families with most public schools earning higher than average and even excellent ratings from parents.
Long-time residents say they’ve seen a lot of positive outcomes since the neighborhood changed its name from Van Nuys to Valley Glen. Positive changes include better school ratings, cleaner parks with new equipment and well-maintained homes and businesses.
The sense of community is very strong in Valley Glen, and the neighborhood association sets up social events like movie nights, concerts and barbecues. They also host community clean-up gatherings, as well.
1. Crenshaw
Source: Rent./Residence at Woodlake
- Average 2-BR rent: $2,252
- Rent change since 2021: +1.27 percent
Beautiful, trendy and calm are words often used to describe the Crenshaw neighborhood, the cheapest neighborhood in Los Angeles. The average commute into the city is around 35 minutes. Over 80 percent of residents are renters, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from when searching for an apartment for rent in Crenshaw.
Residents say the neighborhood is quiet because it consists of single people and couples, and not many kids live in the area.
The walkability, bike and transit scores all hover around the 54 mark, meaning that most residents need a car to get around.
The most expensive neighborhood in Los Angeles
If you want to look for an apartment for rent in the most expensive neighborhood in Los Angeles, look no further than Gallery Row, where an apartment averages $6,661 per month. Prices are going up in the area, too. The neighborhood experienced a 10.48 percent increase in rental costs in the past year.
The Gallery Row neighborhood is an art and cultural district in Downtown L.A. You’ll find over 50 museums and art galleries in the community, as well as numerous bars and trendy restaurants.
Interestingly, this community borders Skid Row, a neighborhood with dilapidated streets and rundown buildings. The Gallery Row neighborhood shows what people can achieve when they work together to create urban growth and cultural revitalization.
Find an affordable neighborhood for your next apartment
Did any of the cheapest neighborhoods in Los Angeles sound like a good fit for your budget and personality? If so, it’s now time to take the next step. Check our listings for apartments for rent in Los Angeles that fit all your needs!
Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Rent.’s multifamily rental property inventory as of January 2022. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets. The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
Source: rent.com