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Best suburbs in Los Angeles

Written by:
April 25, 2024
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Best suburbs in Los Angeles

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.

Family with two children walking on pedestrian bridge in city park.
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imtmphoto // Shutterstock

#25. Los Alamitos, California

- 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+
Father gives son ride on his shoulders outside of house.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#24. Westlake Village, California

- 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
Shot of young couple with son playing in park.
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Josep Suria // Shutterstock

#23. La Palma, California

- 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
Cropped portrait of cheerful family playing soccer.
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BAZA Production // Shutterstock

#22. Cypress, California

- 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+
Two happy girlfriends looking in a shop window.
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RossHelen // Shutterstock

#21. Agoura Hills, California

- 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
Young happy women shopping for vegetables and fruits.
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NDAB Creativity // Shutterstock

#20. Calabasas, California

- 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
Couple in business clothes leaving home for work.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#19. Sierra Madre, California

- 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
Mother and children playing basketball on driveway.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#18. North Tustin, California

- 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+
Customers enjoying meals in busy restaurant.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#17. Yorba Linda, California

- 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+
Female bakery stall owner at a farmers market.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#16. Rossmoor, California

- 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
Woman pushing child on swing on playground.
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oneinchpunch // Shutterstock

#15. Seal Beach, California

- 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+
Father giving piggyback ride to his daughter while walking outside.
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Akarawut // Shutterstock

#14. Palos Verdes Estates, California

- 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
Young man and little girl laughing with ice cream.
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YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock

#13. Rolling Hills, California

- 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
Happy family with child and shopping cart buying food at grocery store.
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Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#12. Rolling Hills Estates, California

- 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
A group of young children getting on the schoolbus.
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Stuart Monk // Shutterstock

#11. Cerritos, California

- 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
Boy learning to ride a bicycle with his father in park.
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#10. Rancho Palos Verdes, California

- 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
Two woman in small town downtown laughing.
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Laura Beach // Shutterstock

#9. San Marino, California

- 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
Staff serving a customer in a busy coffee shop.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#8. Beverly Hills, California

- 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+
Shot of a smiling senior couple taking together in a cafe.
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PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#7. El Segundo, California

- 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
A family playing soccer together.
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Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

#6. Culver City, California

- 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+
Happy young family sitting in a park.
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Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

#5. La Cañada Flintridge, California

- 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
Happy family in backyard with dog.
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#4. South Pasadena, California

- 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
Back view of a little girl on fathers shoulders and mom walking alongside.
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F8 studio // Shutterstock

#3. Manhattan Beach, California

- 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+
Little boy running with his dog on a leash.
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FamVeld // Shutterstock

#2. Redondo Beach, California

- 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+
Senior couple on walk with a dog.
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PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#1. Hermosa Beach, California

- 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.

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