Beach cities, South Pasadena, LCF rank top 5 of LA’s 25 best suburbs

The GI Bill of Rights, Ike’s interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.

Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost. 

A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities — such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago — or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.

What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.

Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Los Angeles. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.

Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Los Angeles.

#25. Los Alamitos

– Population: 11,728
– Median home value: $940,800
– Median rental price: $2,255

– Top schools nearby: Oxford Academy (grade A+), Richard Henry Lee Elementary School (grade A+), Jack L. Weaver Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Fairmont Preparatory Academy (grade A+), St. John Bosco High School (grade A+), Servite High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A+

#24. Westlake Village

– Population: 7,948
– Median home value: $1,208,700
– Median rental price: $3,501

– Top schools nearby: Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) (grade A+), Malibu High School (grade A), Meadows Arts and Technology Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Oaks Christian School (grade A+), Viewpoint School (grade A+), Louisville High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#23. La Palma

– Population: 15,522
– Median home value: $865,100
– Median rental price: $2,158

– Top schools nearby: John F. Kennedy High School (grade A+), Compton Early College High School (grade A), Los Coyotes Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Fairmont Preparatory Academy (grade A+), St. John Bosco High School (grade A+), Servite High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#22. Cypress

– Population: 49,955
– Median home value: $825,800
– Median rental price: $2,309

– Top schools nearby: Oxford Academy (grade A+), Richard Henry Lee Elementary School (grade A+), Jack L. Weaver Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Fairmont Preparatory Academy (grade A+), St. John Bosco High School (grade A+), Servite High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A+

#21. Agoura Hills

– Population: 20,088
– Median home value: $972,000
– Median rental price: $3,056

– Top schools nearby: Meadows Arts and Technology Elementary School (grade A), White Oak Elementary School (grade A), Willow Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Oaks Christian School (grade A+), Viewpoint School (grade A+), Louisville High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#20. Calabasas

– Population: 23,106
– Median home value: $1,334,700
– Median rental price: $2,890

– Top schools nearby: High Tech Los Angeles (grade A+), Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (grade A+), Downtown Magnets High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Oaks Christian School (grade A+), Viewpoint School (grade A+), Milken Community School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#19. Sierra Madre

– Population: 11,151
– Median home value: $1,141,200
– Median rental price: $1,994

– Top schools nearby: California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley (grade A+), Arcadia High School (grade A+), Foothills Middle School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Flintridge Preparatory School (grade A+), Polytechnic School (grade A+), Westridge School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#18. North Tustin

– Population: 25,131
– Median home value: $1,155,400
– Median rental price: $2,272

– Top schools nearby: Portola High School (grade A+), Cadence Park (grade A), Beacon Park (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Fairmont Preparatory Academy (grade A+), TVT Community Day School (grade A+), Pacific Academy – Irvine (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A+

#17. Yorba Linda

– Population: 68,035
– Median home value: $991,400
– Median rental price: $2,523

– Top schools nearby: Valencia High School (grade A+), Yorba Linda High School (grade A+), Portola High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Fairmont Preparatory Academy (grade A+), Elite Open School (grade A+), Pacific Academy – Irvine (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A+

#16. Rossmoor

– Population: 11,742
– Median home value: $1,196,700
– Median rental price: $3,236

– Top schools nearby: Richard Henry Lee Elementary School (grade A+), Jack L. Weaver Elementary School (grade A+), Rossmoor Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Fairmont Preparatory Academy (grade A+), St. John Bosco High School (grade A+), Servite High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#15. Seal Beach

– Population: 25,046
– Median home value: $483,100
– Median rental price: $2,308

– Top schools nearby: Richard Henry Lee Elementary School (grade A+), Jack L. Weaver Elementary School (grade A+), Rossmoor Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Fairmont Preparatory Academy (grade A+), TVT Community Day School (grade A+), St. John Bosco High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A+

#14. Palos Verdes Estates

– Population: 13,219
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $3,056

– Top schools nearby: Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (grade A+), Point Vicente Elementary School (grade A+), Silver Spur Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Chadwick School (grade A+), Ambassador Christian School (grade A+), Bishop Montgomery High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#13. Rolling Hills

– Population: 1,451
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $3,501

– Top schools nearby: Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (grade A+), Soleado Elementary School (grade A+), Dapplegray Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Chadwick School (grade A+), Ambassador Christian School (grade A+), Bishop Montgomery High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#12. Rolling Hills Estates

– Population: 8,214
– Median home value: $1,576,900
– Median rental price: $3,501

– Top schools nearby: Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (grade A+), Larchmont Charter School (grade A+), Silver Spur Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Chadwick School (grade A+), Ambassador Christian School (grade A+), Bishop Montgomery High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#11. Cerritos

– Population: 49,016
– Median home value: $862,100
– Median rental price: $2,743

– Top schools nearby: Whitney High School (grade A+), Carmenita Middle School (grade A+), Cerritos High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Fairmont Preparatory Academy (grade A+), St. John Bosco High School (grade A+), Servite High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#10. Rancho Palos Verdes

– Population: 41,805
– Median home value: $1,411,800
– Median rental price: $3,284

– Top schools nearby: Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (grade A+), High Tech Los Angeles (grade A+), Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Chadwick School (grade A+), Ambassador Christian School (grade A+), Bishop Montgomery High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#9. San Marino

– Population: 12,442
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $3,501

– Top schools nearby: California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley (grade A+), San Marino High School (grade A+), Valentine Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Flintridge Preparatory School (grade A+), Polytechnic School (grade A+), Westridge School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#8. Beverly Hills

– Population: 32,406
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $2,675

– Top schools nearby: Girls Academic Leadership Academy: Dr. Michelle King School for STEM (grade A+), High Tech Los Angeles (grade A+), Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Harvard-Westlake School (grade A+), Windward School (grade A+), Marlborough School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A+

#7. El Segundo

– Population: 17,081
– Median home value: $1,479,000
– Median rental price: $2,476

– Top schools nearby: Da Vinci Science (grade A+), Mira Costa High School (grade A+), El Segundo High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Windward School (grade A+), Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences (grade A+), Vistamar School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#6. Culver City

– Population: 40,357
– Median home value: $1,121,300
– Median rental price: $2,475

– Top schools nearby: Girls Academic Leadership Academy: Dr. Michelle King School for STEM (grade A+), High Tech Los Angeles (grade A+), Da Vinci Science (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Harvard-Westlake School (grade A+), Windward School (grade A+), Marlborough School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A+

#5. La Cañada Flintridge

– Population: 20,378
– Median home value: $1,983,300
– Median rental price: $3,501

– Top schools nearby: California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley (grade A+), La Canada High School (grade A+), Crescenta Valley High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Flintridge Preparatory School (grade A+), Polytechnic School (grade A+), Westridge School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#4. South Pasadena

– Population: 26,583
– Median home value: $1,453,500
– Median rental price: $2,135

– Top schools nearby: South Pasadena Senior High School (grade A+), Larchmont Charter School (grade A+), Arroyo Vista Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Flintridge Preparatory School (grade A+), Polytechnic School (grade A+), Westridge School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

#3. Manhattan Beach

– Population: 35,123
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $3,366

– Top schools nearby: Da Vinci Science (grade A+), Mira Costa High School (grade A+), Opal Robinson Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Windward School (grade A+), Vistamar School (grade A+), Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles Raymond and Esther Kabbaz High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A+

#2. Redondo Beach

– Population: 70,620
– Median home value: $1,192,300
– Median rental price: $2,464

– Top schools nearby: Da Vinci Science (grade A+), Redondo Union High School (grade A+), Tulita Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Windward School (grade A+), Chadwick School (grade A+), Vistamar School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A+

#1. Hermosa Beach

– Population: 19,551
– Median home value: $1,862,400
– Median rental price: $2,659

– Top schools nearby: Da Vinci Science (grade A+), Mira Costa High School (grade A+), Richard Henry Dana Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Vistamar School (grade A+), Ambassador Christian School (grade A+), Bishop Montgomery High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A+

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros. The article was copy edited and retitled from its original version.

Re-published with CC BY-NC 4.0 License.

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