How to Find an Apartment in Los Angeles, CA [2024]
Moving to Los Angeles brings sunny weather, a booming entertainment industry, and plenty of nightlife and fashion. You can live out the lifestyle of your dreams, enjoying celebrity neighbor sightings and hipster neighborhoods with trendy micropubs just down the street.
But let's face it: finding a new place to live in a city as large and popular as LA is daunting. That's why we built this handy guide to help you learn how to find an apartment in Los Angeles to suit your budget and needs.
Here's what to do to find the best neighborhood and apartment amenities in Los Angeles. Before you get started, check out this great video from adelala about her LA apartment hunt:
How to Find an Apartment in Los Angeles
How Much Is Rent in LA?
As of May 2024, the median rent for a one-bedroom in LA is $1,868 a month, while two-bedrooms cost around $2,383. Rent is down by 3.4% over the previous year, however. Overall, LA comes in fifteenth among the nations most expensive cities for renters.
1. Get to Know the Neighborhoods
For most people, where they live in a major city will be dictated largely by budget and commute. To that end, you'll save yourself a lot of time and headache if you focus your search on neighborhoods within your budget. The goal of getting to know the neighborhoods is to find places within your budget, and then to do independent research on those areas to ensure they are somewhere you want to live. You can use LA's crime map, for instance, to look at how safe a prospective neighborhood is. You can also visit the Reddit and NextDoor communities for those neighborhoods to get a sense of what the community is like.
You could start with this list of our 17 favorite LA neighborhoods, which include a mix of high-end and affordable areas as well as rental prices. You can also use the maps on our listing pages to see how much apartments are listed for in various parts of the city.
2. Finding Luxury Apartments in Los Angeles
Finding the right kind of apartment becomes a lot easier once you understand the neighborhoods a bit better. The easiest way to find luxury apartments on listing websites like ours is to select your desired amenities in the filters along with your budget. But you can also help your search by starting from within the neighborhoods that you are most interested in. To that end, here are some of the most famous upscale neighborhoods in LA, with links for viewing current listings in those areas. Our favorite LA neighborhoods article contains even more hidden gems.
Santa Monica
- Average one-bedroom rent: $3,187
- Map of Santa Monica
This polished seaside city and namesake pier boast gourmet restaurants, shops, and farmer's markets. Waterfront views come at a higher price tag in Santa Monica, but your celebrity neighbors don't seem to mind.
Venice Beach
- Average one-bedroom rent: $3,249
- Map of Venice Beach
Venice Beach attracts singles and young couples in their 20s and 30s with enough income to live beachside. Organic and healthy eateries are the norm. This Los Angeles neighborhood is also a dog lover's dream.
Westwood/Century City
- Average one-bedroom rent: $4,778
- Map of Westwood/Century City
Century City is a business-focused neighborhood that is quiet at night. It's mostly a ghost town after hours. Westwood is next door with restaurants and bars.
Beverly Hills
- Average one-bedroom rent: $2,900
- Map of Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is a separate city from Los Angeles with a small-town feel. It's also home to some of the priciest rents in the metro area and the infamous Rodeo Drive.
West Hollywood
- Average one-bedroom rent: $3,603
- Map of West Hollywood
West Hollywood, sometimes called We-Ho, is one of the cleanest and most stylish areas in Los Angeles. Spend your free time shopping at boutiques and sampling the latest eateries.
Hollywood
- Average one-bedroom rent: $2,891
- Map of Hollywood
Hollywood is a central location that draws newcomers looking for the iconic Los Angeles experience. You're close to restaurants, bars, hiking trails, and entertainment venues.
Downtown
- Average one-bedroom rent: $3,175
- Map of Downtown
The heart of the city lies in Downtown Los Angeles. Locals walk to get their errands done, all within range of the Orpheum Theater, Broad Museum, and quaint eateries. You'll also find plenty of rooftop bars and parties with stunning views.
Now that you're in the know about Los Angeles neighborhoods, finding your dream apartment should feel within reach. It's a city full of ambition, opportunity, and recreation, ready for the taking. Get ready to venture out and find your corner to call your own in the City of Angels.
3. Finding Cheaper Apartments In Los Angeles
Los Angeles once boasted a relatively affordable cost of living. The trendiest neighborhoods are seeing major rent increases with the population boom. However, it's still possible to find apartment deals and bargains if you're determined and have some patience. Move-in specials can help lower your overall expenses. You may discover specials during December and January when rentals are usually less competitive.
Remember to consider all of your expenses beyond your rent. Follow a budgeting checklist for all of your apartment essentials like moving costs and utilities.
The farther you get from Downtown and the core of LA, the cheaper your rent will likely be. You'll need to factor in a longer commute time and rush hours. Locals find they need to prioritize rent or location and meet somewhere in the middle to find the best deal. Come prepared with these eight tips for finding an apartment you can afford.
Van Nuys
- Average one-bedroom rent: $2,221
- Map of Van Nuys
Van Nuys, famous for starring in the final scene of Casablanca, is one of the most established and thriving neighborhoods in LA, in addition to being one of the most affordable. Check out our Van Nuys neighborhood guide, or visit our apartment listings to learn more.
Culver City
- Average one-bedroom rent: $2,987
- Map of Culver City
Culver City is regarded as one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Los Angeles. It's a perfect spot if you work in movie and TV production and want to skip the commute.
Los Feliz
- Starting one-bedroom rent: $1,695
- Map of Los Feliz
The laid-back Los Feliz offers quick access to neighboring Griffith Park. It's a quieter reprieve from the bustle of Los Angeles living.
Silver Lake
- Average one-bedroom rent: $2,641
- Map of Silver Lake
The trend-setting Silver Lake neighborhood is full of organic cafes, eclectic boutiques, dive bars, and chilled-out coffee shops. This central location is just 10-15 minutes to both Downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood.
Echo Park
- Starting one-bedroom rent: $1,249
- Map of Echo Park
Echo Park offers boutiques and vegan eats. There's a gorgeous namesake lake, and you're just around the corner from a game at Dodger Stadium. Music lovers stop at Echo or the Echoplex venues to see musical acts throughout the year.
Wilshire/Koreatown
- Average one-bedroom rent: $2,739
- Map of Wilshire/Koreatown
Get some of the best Korean BBQ in Los Angeles around Koreatown, otherwise known as K-town. The trendy neighborhood offers karaoke, speakeasies, and music venues housed in a mix of historic and contemporary buildings. You can find apartments in a wide price range situated along Wilshire Blvd.
4. Using Reddit and Social Media
Many renters anecdotally report discovering apartment prospects on Reddit, Facebook, and Craigslist, especially privately owned units. While these sites may not have the powerful filtering tools of larger listing websites, they can be a great place to find hidden gems. If you go this route, we recommend starting with locally based forums. Here are a few you can try:
5. When's the Best Time to Find an Apartment in Los Angeles?
The seasonality trends show December or January may be a better time to move to Los Angeles. You’ll pay the highest prices during the summer season and face the most competition to score affordable apartments.
More people move during the summer because:
- Weather doesn’t get in the way
- School is not in session. Therefore, it’s a convenient time for college graduates and families with children to move
Fewer people move during the winter because:
- Inclement weather can get in the way
- Moving can be expensive and winter holidays already consume a lot of discretionary spending
6. Determining Your Budget
Where you can rent in LA is likely to be determined by your budget. You can use our cost of living calculator to determine how much your current income would be "worth" in LA compared to where you're currently living. For instance, people coming from San Francisco who earn $4,000 a month would only need to earn around $3,500 in LA to maintain their same lifestyle.
We use the 30% rule to find an affordable apartment that won't break your budget. Under this rule, you only spend 30% of your pre-taxed monthly take-home pay on rent. The pre-taxed take-home pay is also called your gross income. You can also divide your gross annual salary by 40 to come up with the same number.
Let's say you find a hip Los Angeles apartment at the median rate of $1,868. Adhering to the 30% rule, you would need to earn a little over $75,000 a year to comfortably afford a one-bedroom in the city.
Take the time to factor in the extra costs involved if you do find your dream LA apartment. Here are just a few of the costs of renting an apartment that people frequently forget.
- Security Deposit: Your standard security deposit is usually one month's rent. That figure can vary from property to property. Remember, if you take care of your apartment, you should get this back.
- Pet Fees: Los Angeles is a pet-friendly city that's ready to welcome your furry friends. Prepare to pay additional costs. Most apartment buildings require some form of a pet deposit, pet fees, or pet rent.
- Parking: Does your apartment’s monthly rent include a reserved parking spot? That’s likely tacked onto your monthly rent.
- Amenities: Los Angelenos enjoying looking good! You may be able to get rid of your gym membership if your apartment complex offers a gym.
7. Asking the Right Questions
As Adelala discusses in the video at the top of this page, if you don't ask the right questions when you're apartment hunting, you could end up with a lot of hidden fees. We have a list of 36 questions you should ask prospective landlords, but here's a few that are really important in LA:
- How much is the security deposit?
- Are utilities included?
- Will my rent increase?
- How much is the application fee?
- Do you charge move-in fees?
- Are there any other hidden fees?
- What are the lease length options?
Additionally, make a list of what you can do without, what you would like, and what's a deal-breaker for your dream apartment. Make sure to ask about these as well before you commit.
8. Consider Your Los Angeles Commute Time
Rush hour is a deceptive expression when you live in Los Angeles. It really lasts three hours, both in the morning and evening. Expect to sit in traffic between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. If you can afford it, look for apartments in neighborhoods where you also work and play.
Some neighborhoods in LA are more walkable than others. You can walk out the door in Downtown Los Angeles, go to work, hit the pubs, and rely on ride shares instead of driving. However, it's tough to make the most of LA without your own set of wheels.
Overall, Los Angeles has a walk score of 68. In addition to Downtown, MacArthur Park and Central Hollywood are also walkable Los Angeles neighborhoods. The bike score in Los Angeles ranges in the 50s.
The LA Metro offers local, rapid, express, and bus rapid transit throughout the metro area. Using public transportation exclusively is a commitment, but could be the perfect option if you already live in a walkable neighborhood.
9. Preparing for Apartment Tours
Touring apartments in LA is important. You need to make sure that the images you saw online match your expectations, and you should also ensure that the unit seems to be well-maintained. By visiting, you'll also be able to tell right away if you are close enough to the right shops, or if the neighborhood seems safe.
You should also have a few essential questions to ask before renting an apartment. Look over the list and prepare thoroughly before your next apartment tour.
The earlier you can apply, the better. Bring your cash, credit cards, or a checkbook to pay for the application on hand. Have your ID, proof of income, and a few references ready. Landlord references are also preferred. You can also use personal references if you don't have a rental history. If you're new to renting, get familiar with the apartment application process.
10. Applying for Your Los Angeles Apartment
Los Angeles apartments are plentiful but go on and off the market quickly. You'll need to act fast during peak renting season if you find a great deal. Always come to all of your tours prepared to fill out an application. You should expect to pay a non-refundable application fee. If possible, call ahead to the broker or landlord to inquire about necessary documentation for the application. Some people you speak to may require specific documents and want everything in hand to accept your application.
11. Protect Yourself from Rental Scams
Unfortunately, rental scams are an issue in just about every major city. According to a report by Apartment List, 46.7% of Los Angeles renters have encountered fraudulent apartment listings, while 2.2% of those have lost money due to rental scams. Remember to stay vigilant and follow these tips for avoiding rental scams.
Find Your Los Angeles Apartment Today
Ready to move to Los Angeles? Apartment List is here to help you find your dream home.
Here’s how it works: Check out any one of the listing pages linked in this guide, such as this page for the whole city of LA, and use the filters at the top to select your amenities, features, move-in date, and more. Scroll to the bottom of the LA page to view even more neighborhoods, or check our in-depth LA neighborhood guide.
FAQs about Finding an Apartment in Los Angeles
How to find the best apartment deals in LA?
We recommend moving in December or January if you want to find the best move-in specials. Additionally, check out this guide we wrote to finding move-in specials. When you check LA listings on Apartment List, you'll see red tags on apartments that have specials.
When to start apartment hunting in LA?
In a city like LA, where the job market can be competitive and in-person tours are important, we recommend starting your search a minimum of three months out to have as many options as possible. Keep in mind that more desirable apartment communities may have waiting lists of several months.
Are rent prices in LA going down?
As of May 2024, rent prices in LA were down 3.4% over the previous year. They were up very slightly over the previous month (0.3%).
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