Laura Beach // Shutterstock
1 / 25#25. Sierra Madre
- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 11,020
Best places to live in the Los Angeles metro area
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in the Los Angeles metro area using data from the Niche. Niche uses 15 weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on cost of living, higher education rate, housing, public schools, diversity, and crime. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.
You may also like: Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Los Angeles
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
2 / 25#24. Claremont
- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 36,553
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
3 / 25#23. Aliso Viejo
- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 51,320
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
4 / 25#22. Seal Beach
- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 24,868
YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock
5 / 25#21. Yorba Linda
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 67,407
You may also like: The highest-value homes in Los Angeles
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
6 / 25#20. Torrance
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 143,499
Josep Suria // Shutterstock
7 / 25#19. North Tustin
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 26,038
Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock
8 / 25#18. Arcadia
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 55,550
Jacek Chabraszewski // Shutterstock
9 / 25#17. Cerritos
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 48,340
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
10 / 25#16. Palos Verdes Estates
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 13,047
You may also like: Highest-rated Middle Eastern restaurants in Los Angeles by diners
F8 studio // Shutterstock
11 / 25#15. Newport Beach
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 84,304
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
12 / 25#14. El Segundo
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 16,863
Akarawut // Shutterstock
13 / 25#13. Rolling Hills Estates
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 8,158
oneinchpunch // Shutterstock
14 / 25#12. San Marino
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 12,279
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
15 / 25#11. Rancho Palos Verdes
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 41,259
You may also like: The most expensive homes sold in Los Angeles this year
Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock
16 / 25#10. Rolling Hills
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 1,511
Stuart Monk // Shutterstock
17 / 25#9. Culver City
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 39,993
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
18 / 25#8. Beverly Hills
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 31,955
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
19 / 25#7. La Cañada Flintridge
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 20,094
BAZA Production // Shutterstock
20 / 25#6. South Pasadena
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 26,297
You may also like: Is it cheaper to buy or rent in Los Angeles in 2026?
imtmphoto // Shutterstock
21 / 25#5. Manhattan Beach
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 34,584
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
22 / 25#4. Irvine
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 308,160
Ground Picture // Shutterstock
23 / 25#3. Redondo Beach
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 69,814
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
24 / 25#2. Hermosa Beach
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 19,248
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
25 / 25#1. Santa Monica
- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 91,535
You may also like: Bib Gourmand restaurants in Los Angeles
