Are you planning on moving to Los Angeles, which could be for school, better job opportunities, or simply settling in with family? Whichever is the case, you have to do your homework to find the safest areas in Los Angeles. Nothing is more important than safety while living in major cities like LA. We’ve rounded up an in-depth review of the 10 safest neighborhoods in Los Angeles so that you can find out what makes these areas stand out, from their low crime rate to quality of life. Also, take the important factors and safety tips listed below into consideration when choosing where to stay in the Los Angeles area. So, without much ado, let’s get started!
10 Safest neighborhoods in Los Angeles
Bel Air
- Best Known For: Luxury homes & privacy
- Average Rent: $2,500/month
- Average Home Price: $3.5 million
- Safety Score (According to Niche): A+
- Crime Rate: 45% lower than the national average
- Transportation: Sepulveda/Getty Center bus stop and access to Los Angeles Union Station.
- Best For: Affluent families, professionals, and students seeking a tranquil environment
Bel Air is among the safest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The crime rate is 65% lower than other parts of LA. If you want to live in a neighborhood that oozes with luxury, Bel Air is the best option. This area is quite exclusive and has many estates, even celebrity residences. The serene ambiance including the picturesque architecture makes it such an elite abode and overall the safest part of Los Angeles.
Glendale
- Best Known For: Shopping, entertainment, & culture
- Average Rent: $2,900/month
- Average Home Price: $1.2 million
- Safety Score (According to Niche): A+
- Crime Rate: 40% lower than the national average
- Transportation: Ventura/Beverly Glen bus stop, Chatsworth Station – Sherman Oaks via Devonshire St, and Glendale Transportation Center offering Amtrak and Metrolink services
- Best For: Families, young professionals, and students who want urban conveniences
Glendale is one of the safe and good neighborhoods in Los Angeles and you’ll find it at the eastern edge of the San Fernando Valley and south of the Ventura Freeway. It’s quite a charming area and has lots of amenities to make your livelihood a walk in the park. The cultural aura is also something to look out for, especially in the Armenian-American community. You’ll feel welcomed living in this neighborhood and the most fun part is that it’s home to attractions like The Americana at Brand and Glendale Galleria, where you can easily shop, dine, and be entertained.
Los Feliz
- Best Known For: Artistic culture, trendy restaurants, walkable community
- Average Rent: $2,030/month
- Average Home Price: $1.4 million
- Safety Score (According to Niche): A
- Crime Rate: 20% lower than the city average
- Transportation: Serviced by 180, 182, 217, and DASH buses; the B Metro Rail Line; nearby Antelope Valley Line, Ventura County Line, and Pacific Surfliner; and accessible to I-5 and 101 freeways.
- Best For: Young adults, retired creatives, and dog owners
Do you know that living in Los Feliz means you’ll be super close to Beverly Hills? That’s right! You’ll be near where the action is happening and at the same time enjoy the relaxed, artsy vibe that Los Feliz brings. Being part of the safest areas in Los Angeles, people easily move around here, walking in and out of cafes, restaurants, and bars. The entertainment space is also strong as the area has lots of theaters and cinemas. You should give Los Feliz a try if you’re looking for a place that’s vibrant yet inspiring enough to call home.
Culver City
- Best Known For: Urban-suburban mix, proximity to beaches, and a strong community vibe
- Average Rent: $2,150/month
- Average Home Price: $1.2 million
- Safety Score (According to Niche): A
- Crime Rate: 31% lower than the city average
- Transportation: Culver City Bus Network, serviced by the 33 and C1-C7 buses, with easy access to I-10 and I-405 interstates
- Best For: Young adults and young families seeking safety and convenience
Culver City is one of the nice places to live in Los Angeles because it has a perfect balance between city energy and suburban calmness. The community is quite friendly and you can easily navigate the area by foot. Additionally, the fact that it’s close to places like Santa Monica and Venice Beach while also retaining visible police presence means you’re in safe hands. No matter what happens, the emergency response time is quick. If you are looking for safe places to stay in LA, Culver City can be optimal.
Mar Vista
- Best Known For: Quiet residential charm and proximity to the beach
- Average Rent: $2,700/month
- Average Home Price: $1.5 million
- Safety Score (According to Niche): A
- Crime Rate: 48% lower than the city average
- Transportation: Serviced by the Light Rail, 33, 16, CC2, and CC5 buses; access to 187 Freeway, I-10, and I-405 interstates
- Best For: Young adults, especially remote workers who value peace and privacy
Considering the safest neighborhoods in LA brings Mar Vista to mind. One thing you’ll notice immediately you step into this area is the few local amenities but despite that, its proximity to Venice Beach, Santa Monica, and Marina Del Rey makes it more vibrant, especially for people who enjoy occasional nightlife. Overall, the area has a strong sense of privacy and all the cool areas in LA is just a drive away.
Sherman Oaks
- Best Known For: Suburban charm, family-friendly community, and plentiful amenities
- Average Rent: $2,300/month
- Average Home Price: $1.1 million
- Safety Score (According to Niche): A+
- Crime Rate: 65% lower than the city average
- Transportation: Serviced by 233, 237, 761, CE549, and 155 buses; nearby Ventura County Line, Coast Starlight, and Pacific Surfliner trains; easy access to 101 Freeway and I-405 Highway
- Best For: Young adults and families seeking a safe and tranquil lifestyle
One reason Sherman Oaks is known as one of the safest places to stay in Los Angeles is that it has a classic American suburban vibe. The police presence in the area is strong and they have an excellent emergency response time. The icing on the cake is the plenty of dining, shopping, and grocery options. You can live within your little budget in the area plus, it’s conveniently walkable. However, bear in mind that the neighborhood tends to get very hot, so just try and get reliable air conditioning when moving in.
Encino
- Best Known For: Green spaces, outdoor activities, and serene atmosphere
- Average Rent: $2,053/month
- Average Home Price: $1.2 million
- Safety Score (According to Niche): A
- Crime Rate: 22% lower than the national average
- Transportation: Sunset/Bel Air bus stop, Los Angeles Union Station, and access to major freeways
- Best For: Nature lovers, young professionals, and families
Living in Encino is almost like communing with nature because there are a lot of extensive green spaces. People who live there hike a lot, cycle, and even do bird watching at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area. Given its quiet and family-friendly atmosphere, it’s one of the safest places to stay in LA. The area is also filled with an array of restaurants, cafes, and boutiques, so your leisure time will be well spent.
Brentwood
- Best Known For: Blend of luxury, leisure, and cultural landmarks
- Average Rent: $3,450/month
- Average Home Price: $2.5 million
- Safety Score (According to Niche): A+
- Crime Rate: 80% lower than the national average
- Transportation: Wilshire/Bundy bus stop, 7th Street/Metro Center, and easy access to I-405
- Best For: Students, professionals, and families seeking upscale living
You’ll find lots of cultural landmarks in Brentwood, like the iconic Getty Center. Aside from that, it’s quite close to UCLA and other nearby universities, making it an attractive place for students. Safe apartments near UCLA can be found easily with uhomes.com. Having lots of boutique shops, trendy cafes, and the charming Brentwood Country Mart only means that residents are in for plenty of entertainment and shopping options.
Pacific Palisades
- Best Known For: Natural beauty, upscale lifestyle, and premier shopping
- Average Rent: $2,755/month
- Average Home Price: $3.1 million
- Safety Score (According to Niche): A
- Crime Rate: 11% lower than the national average
- Transportation: Sunset/Palisades bus stop, Union Station, and proximity to the Pacific Coast Highway
- Best For: Students, nature enthusiasts, and families seeking tranquility
Pacific Palisades, an area developed in the 1920s and situated between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean is part of the safest places in Los Angeles. The coastal views are so stunning with a calm and welcoming atmosphere. If you’re a resident or a student there, you’ll enjoy hiking in Temescal Canyon, spending beach days at Will Rogers State Beach, or exploring the cultural treasures of the Getty Villa.
Tujunga
- Best Known For: Utopian communities and outdoor recreation
- Average Rent: $2,699/month
- Average Home Price: $800,000
- Safety Score (According to Niche): A-
- Crime Rate: 46% lower than the national average
- Transportation: Sunland Blvd & Foothill Blvd (Westbound), Sun Valley Metrolink Station, and proximity to the I-210 freeway
- Best For: Nature enthusiasts, artists, and families seeking a relaxed lifestyle
When someone asks, in LA, which place is good and safe to live? Tujunga comes to mind because of the rustic and suburban vibe. Actually, this area is known to have artistic roots since it has close ties to the early utopian communities. The town is small and with the National Forest being just a stone away, bonding activities like hiking, camping, and stargazing are easily within reach.
What to Consider While Choosing the Safest Areas in Los Angeles
Upon your decision to live in the safest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California, here are some factors to keep in mind:
- First, look at crime maps and local reports to ascertain the area’s crime statistics.
- Also, check to know if you can quickly access emergency services like police stations, fire departments, and hospitals in the neighborhood. You want to be sure you can get the help you need should anything happen.
- If you can easily stroll to nearby parks, cafes, and stores because the streets are well-lit and pedestrian-friendly, that’s a huge plus.
- Again, if the area has strong community organizations or active watch groups, then there are high chances of them having lower crime rates.
- Don’t forget to check the place the area’s public transport system, especially if you rely a lot on it. Ensure that the area you’re settling for has well-maintained transit hubs like bus stops and metro stations.
- You want to be sure that the neighborhood you’re going for has good air quality and isn’t open to environmental or health hazards like pollution or contamination.
- Since Los Angeles is known for experiencing earthquakes and occasional wildfires, check if the area you’re going for is highly susceptible to those natural disasters.
- If you’re a student or have kids who are of school age with you, look into the neighborhood’s distance to schools, and safety measures like security protocols and emergency plans.
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Tips for Staying Safe in LA
Even as you’re staying in one of the safest cities in Los Angeles, you should also adhere to some safety tips like the following:
- First, install a good security system, in your home. Make sure that your entryways are well-lit and secure. Getting involved in your neighborhood watch program might be a good idea.
- Stay guarded at all times, especially at night. Try not to walk alone, make sure there are people around, or just stick to walking in well-lit places and if something feels off, take precautions.
- Always keep your personal items close to your body and only take what you need.
- Try not to show off your credit card or cash as that might attract the wrong attention.
- If you own a car, ensure that you lock it always and hide valuables out of sight, even small things like loose change or a phone charger.
Finally, if you see something that’s unusual, report that immediately to the nearby police stations.
Final Thoughts on Safest Neighborhoods in Los Angeles
Wrapping it up, the safest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. include Bel Air, Culver City, Sherman Oaks, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Tujunga, Mar Vista and Enico. As you’ve seen from our review, these areas have one thing in common and that’s a strong sense of community and well-lit places for easy navigation, especially at night. These make the crime rates really low but you want to stay extra vigilant and stay guarded at all times. If you ever notice any unusual movement, don’t hesitate to contact the police.
FAQ on Safest Neighborhoods in LA
Is LA Downtown safe at night?
Yes, Downtown is safe at night if you stick to well-lit and busy areas when walking. However, for places like Skid Row, it’s best to avoid it because it has a high rate of homelessness and illicit activities.
Is the area around Dulans safe?
The area around Dulan’s is generally considered safe but that depends on your personal comfort level and awareness. But to be on the safe side, stay alert and avoid walking in isolated or poor-lit areas, especially at night.
Is Culver City safe?
Yes, Culver City is a safe area to live in especially considering its proximity to Los Angeles – it’s just 20 20-minute drive. Aside from that, it has a strong sense of community and security system which explains why the crime rates have improved since to mid-90s.
Is Glendale safe?
Glendale is part of the safest cities in Los Angeles with a low violent crime rate of just 103 incidents per 100,000 residents. The strong family-friendly and community atmosphere also adds in making a welcoming and secure environment compared to other areas in LA.
Where is the cheapest and safest place to live in Los Angeles?
Encino is the cheapest and safest place to live in Los Angeles. This area is located at the San Fernando Valley. The atmosphere there is peaceful and family-friendly plus the low rental prices make it one of the best places to call home in LA.
