East Los Angeles 60 Below average
East Los Angeles Livability #594 ranked city in California#19,237 ranked city in the USARanks better than 34% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

East Los Angeles, CA - The Heart of Chicano Culture

East Los Angeles, California, known as "The Heart of Chicano Culture," is a vibrant community with a rich history and strong cultural identity. Located just east of downtown Los Angeles, East LA offers a unique blend of urban living and cultural heritage. The neighborhood's lively atmosphere and community spirit make living in East Los Angeles an engaging and dynamic experience.

Residents of East Los Angeles enjoy a variety of cultural and recreational activities. The area is home to numerous parks, community centers, and cultural landmarks. Belvedere Park and the East Los Angeles Civic Center are popular destinations for outdoor activities and community gatherings. The area also hosts numerous cultural events, including the annual East LA Mexican Independence Day Parade.

East Los Angeles is celebrated for its vibrant arts scene and rich cultural heritage. The Vincent Price Art Museum and the Mariachi Plaza are cultural highlights that showcase the community's artistic talents and traditions. The neighborhood's culinary scene is equally diverse, with an array of restaurants offering authentic Mexican cuisine and other international flavors.

The cost of living in East Los Angeles is relatively affordable compared to other parts of the greater Los Angeles area, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market includes a variety of options, from historic homes to modern apartments. The local economy is supported by industries such as retail, education, and healthcare.

Public transportation in East Los Angeles is well-developed, with access to Metro buses and the Metro Gold Line, facilitating easy commutes to downtown LA and other parts of the city. The neighborhood's Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild winters and warm summers, allows for year-round outdoor activities. Overall, East Los Angeles offers a blend of cultural richness, community spirit, and urban convenience, making it a desirable place to live.

Pros and Cons of Living in East Los Angeles

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

  • Crime Crime

    This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Surveys and polls conducted by AreaVibes with residents of the area revealed unfavorable results concerning the walkability of amenities, the availability of parks and public transit access.

What's it like Living in East Los Angeles?

Located in the state of California, East Los Angeles is a mid-sized city with a population of 124,794 residents. In East Los Angeles, there are 16,748 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of East Los Angeles identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 86% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. The median age of all East Los Angeles residents is 32, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. East Los Angeles is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 46% married, this city falls well below the national average. Something to be aware of when living in East Los Angeles are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 31 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in East Los Angeles can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, health & safety, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in East Los Angeles and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare East Los Angeles to California and the national average.

Using data and statistics East Los Angeles has received a livability score of 60/100. This score is ranked in the 37th percentile when compared to all other cities. This is a poor rating when compared to the average of other places in the country. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that East Los Angeles ranks very well for education (B+) and housing (B-). Unfortunately for East Los Angeles, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F), crime (F) and cost of living (F).

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their East Los Angeles apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to East Los Angeles is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in East Los Angeles come in at $817,444, which is 11.7% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In East Los Angeles, the home price to income ratio is 11, which is 42.9% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around East Los Angeles

See all the best places to live around East Los Angeles

How Do You Rate The Livability In East Los Angeles?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare East Los Angeles, CA Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      East Los Angeles transportation information

      Statistic East Los Angeles California National
      Average one way commute31min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work70.8%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.6%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit8.3%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.6%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.8%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home3.5%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The East Los Angeles, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.