How we ranked the suburbs of Los Angeles
A suburb is "best" for you because of your budget, commute and the kind of home you want, so this ranking does not try to judge any of that. It measures two things the data can show: how strong buyer demand is, and how settled the housing is. We started with every incorporated city in Los Angeles County except the City of Los Angeles itself, and kept the 41 cities with at least 60 home sales in the three months to September 2026. Unincorporated communities such as Altadena and Hacienda Heights are left out because they have no city government of their own.
Each city got a 0 to 100 rating on four measures, based on where it fell among the 41: median days on market (fewer is better), months of supply (fewer is better), average sale-to-list ratio (higher is better) and the share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied (higher is better). The score is the average of the four. Price is shown but does not count, so expensive and lower-priced suburbs compete on the same terms.
Sales figures are Redfin's rolling three-month figures for each city, ending September 2026, all property types. The owner-occupied share comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimates, totaled across the ZIP codes assigned to each city in our data, so it is an approximation where a ZIP crosses a city line. For scale, Redfin's median sale price for all of Los Angeles County was $912,957 in September 2026, with a 52-day median time on market and 4.5 months of supply.
The 12 best suburbs of Los Angeles by the numbers
The table ranks the top twelve. "Change" compares Redfin's three-month median sale price with the same period a year earlier.
| Rank | City | Score | Median sale price | Change, 1 year | Median days on market | Sale-to-list | Months of supply | Owner-occupied | Homes sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cerritos | 92 | $1,162,946 | -2.5% | 32 | 100.7% | 1.8 | 76% | 76 |
| 2 | Norwalk | 84 | $784,626 | +5.3% | 32 | 101.3% | 2.5 | 68% | 109 |
| 3 | Lakewood | 84 | $893,574 | +1.9% | 36 | 100.5% | 2 | 72% | 117 |
| 4 | Carson | 84 | $790,623 | +6.8% | 34 | 100.7% | 2.8 | 74% | 89 |
| 5 | La Mirada | 81 | $902,570 | +1.9% | 36 | 100.3% | 2.5 | 76% | 84 |
| 6 | Pico Rivera | 78 | $749,643 | -0.1% | 43 | 100.7% | 2.2 | 71% | 60 |
| 7 | Torrance | 76 | $1,174,441 | -4.9% | 34 | 100.7% | 2 | 54% | 266 |
| 8 | Whittier | 74 | $926,559 | +6.2% | 42 | 101.4% | 3.3 | 64% | 103 |
| 9 | Manhattan Beach | 71 | $3,285,935 | -3.9% | 40 | 99.8% | 2.2 | 65% | 110 |
| 10 | West Covina | 68 | $864,588 | +3.4% | 38 | 100.1% | 3.1 | 61% | 113 |
| 11 | Downey | 66 | $874,584 | +2.6% | 32 | 100.8% | 3.7 | 51% | 77 |
| 12 | Compton | 62 | $659,686 | +2.3% | 48 | 101.7% | 3.6 | 56% | 94 |
Two patterns stand out. First, the Gateway Cities of southeast Los Angeles County took six of the top eight places: Cerritos, Lakewood, Norwalk, La Mirada, Pico Rivera and Whittier. These are mostly built-out suburbs of single-family homes with high ownership and little new supply, so listings move fast. Second, price did not decide the outcome. Manhattan Beach, at a median above $3.2 million, placed ninth, while Compton, at $659,686, placed twelfth.
The top suburbs, one by one
1. Cerritos: score 92, $1,162,946 median
Redfin's median sale price in Cerritos was $1,162,946 for the three months to September 2026, -2.5% on a year earlier, on 76 sales. The median home went under contract in 32 days and sold for 100.7% of its list price, with 39% of homes selling above list. Supply stood at 1.8 months, and Census figures put the owner-occupied share at 76%.
Cerritos is a Gateway Cities suburb on the Orange County line, incorporated in 1956 and bordered by Lakewood, Norwalk, La Mirada, Buena Park and La Palma, among others. It had the shortest supply of any city in the ranking, under two months. Most of the city is in ABC Unified School District, with a small western slice in Bellflower Unified. Jobs and shopping cluster at Los Cerritos Center, Cerritos Auto Square and the Cerritos Industrial Park, and Don Knabe Community Regional Park holds the city sports complex, skate park and pools. ZIP data: 90703.
2. Norwalk: score 84, $784,626 median
Redfin's median sale price in Norwalk was $784,626 for the three months to September 2026, +5.3% on a year earlier, on 109 sales. The median home went under contract in 32 days and sold for 101.3% of its list price, with 61% of homes selling above list. Supply stood at 2.5 months, and Census figures put the owner-occupied share at 68%.
Norwalk had the highest share of homes selling above list price of the twelve, at 61%, and the lowest median price of the top five. It lies about 17 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles and was incorporated in 1957. Most of the city is in Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, with pockets in Little Lake City, Whittier Union High and ABC Unified. Metrolink trains stop at the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs station. ZIP data: 90650.
3. Lakewood: score 84, $893,574 median
Redfin's median sale price in Lakewood was $893,574 for the three months to September 2026, +1.9% on a year earlier, on 117 sales. The median home went under contract in 36 days and sold for 100.5% of its list price, with 48% of homes selling above list. Supply stood at 2 months, and Census figures put the owner-occupied share at 72%.
Lakewood is the postwar planned suburb that put tract housing on the map: building began in late 1949 and the first homes went on sale on March 24, 1950. Much of its housing dates from that postwar build-out. The city sits between Long Beach, Bellflower and Cerritos, with the I-605 through its east side and the San Gabriel River Bike Trail beside Rynerson Park. Schools come from Long Beach, Bellflower and ABC unified districts depending on the street. Our Lakewood guide covers prices and neighborhoods. ZIP data: 90712, 90713, 90715.
4. Carson: score 84, $790,623 median
Redfin's median sale price in Carson was $790,623 for the three months to September 2026, +6.8% on a year earlier, on 89 sales. The median home went under contract in 34 days and sold for 100.7% of its list price, with 51% of homes selling above list. Supply stood at 2.8 months, and Census figures put the owner-occupied share at 74%.
Carson is a South Bay and Harbor-area city about 13 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and about 14 miles from LAX, incorporated in 1968. It is home to California State University, Dominguez Hills. Prices rose 6.8% over the year, the fastest of the top five. Most of Carson is in Los Angeles Unified, with a portion in Compton Unified. The Metro A Line stops at Del Amo station nearby. ZIP data: 90745, 90746.
5. La Mirada: score 81, $902,570 median
Redfin's median sale price in La Mirada was $902,570 for the three months to September 2026, +1.9% on a year earlier, on 84 sales. The median home went under contract in 36 days and sold for 100.3% of its list price, with 42% of homes selling above list. Supply stood at 2.5 months, and Census figures put the owner-occupied share at 76%.
La Mirada sits on the Orange County border next to Fullerton, La Habra and Buena Park, and its owner-occupied share of 76% ties Cerritos for the highest of the twelve. Most of the city is in Norwalk-La Mirada Unified, which runs La Mirada High School, while the Creek Park and Granada Heights neighborhoods in the north fall in East Whittier City and Whittier Union High districts. The La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, the Splash! regional aquatics center and Biola University are the best-known local landmarks. ZIP data: 90638.
6. Pico Rivera: score 78, $749,643 median
Redfin's median sale price in Pico Rivera was $749,643 for the three months to September 2026, -0.1% on a year earlier, on 60 sales. The median home went under contract in 43 days and sold for 100.7% of its list price, with 54% of homes selling above list. Supply stood at 2.2 months, and Census figures put the owner-occupied share at 71%.
Pico Rivera lies on the plain between the Rio Hondo and the San Gabriel River, bordered by Montebello, Downey, Santa Fe Springs and Whittier. Its median price was the lowest in the top ten, and more than half of homes sold above list. The city counts nine parks and more than 120 acres of public recreation space, including Smith Park on Rosemead Boulevard. Most students attend El Rancho Unified schools, with the Montebello Gardens area in Montebello Unified. ZIP data: 90660.
7. Torrance: score 76, $1,174,441 median
Redfin's median sale price in Torrance was $1,174,441 for the three months to September 2026, -4.9% on a year earlier, on 266 sales. The median home went under contract in 34 days and sold for 100.7% of its list price, with 41% of homes selling above list. Supply stood at 2 months, and Census figures put the owner-occupied share at 54%.
Torrance is the largest suburb in the top twelve by sales, with 266 homes sold in three months, and it scored well despite prices falling 4.9% over the year. The city was founded in 1912, has about a mile and a half of beachfront on Santa Monica Bay and runs 30 city parks, including the 44-acre Wilson Park with its farmers market. The Del Amo Fashion Center is one of the largest malls in the country. Read our Torrance guide for neighborhood prices. ZIP data: 90501, 90502, 90503, 90504, 90505.
8. Whittier: score 74, $926,559 median
Redfin's median sale price in Whittier was $926,559 for the three months to September 2026, +6.2% on a year earlier, on 103 sales. The median home went under contract in 42 days and sold for 101.4% of its list price, with 48% of homes selling above list. Supply stood at 3.3 months, and Census figures put the owner-occupied share at 64%.
Whittier sold 101.4% of list price on average, one of the highest ratios in the county, and prices rose 6.2%. The 14.7-square-mile city was incorporated in 1898 and is home to Whittier College and Pio Pico State Historic Park. Five high schools make up Whittier Union High School District, and Uptown Whittier holds the Poet Gardens food hall, opened in 2019. Several unincorporated areas share the Whittier name, so check which jurisdiction an address is in. See our Whittier guide. ZIP data: 90601, 90602, 90603, 90604, 90605, 90606.
9. Manhattan Beach: score 71, $3,285,935 median
Redfin's median sale price in Manhattan Beach was $3,285,935 for the three months to September 2026, -3.9% on a year earlier, on 110 sales. The median home went under contract in 40 days and sold for 99.8% of its list price, with 31% of homes selling above list. Supply stood at 2.2 months, and Census figures put the owner-occupied share at 65%.
Manhattan Beach is the one high-price city in the top ten, at a median above $3.2 million. Demand held up, with 110 sales, a 40-day median and only 2.2 months of supply. It is one of the three South Bay Beach Cities, with about 2.1 miles of beach and the Strand bike path running north toward Santa Monica. Public schools are run by Manhattan Beach Unified. Our Manhattan Beach guide covers its neighborhoods and prices. ZIP data: 90266.
10. West Covina: score 68, $864,588 median
Redfin's median sale price in West Covina was $864,588 for the three months to September 2026, +3.4% on a year earlier, on 113 sales. The median home went under contract in 38 days and sold for 100.1% of its list price, with 42% of homes selling above list. Supply stood at 3.1 months, and Census figures put the owner-occupied share at 61%.
West Covina is the only San Gabriel Valley city in the top ten. It lies about 19 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and is the base of Foothill Transit, whose Silver Streak express buses stop at four points in the city. Emanate Health Queen of the Valley Hospital provides emergency and surgical care locally. West Covina Unified runs most public schools. ZIP data: 91790, 91791, 91792.
11. Downey: score 66, $874,584 median
Redfin's median sale price in Downey was $874,584 for the three months to September 2026, +2.6% on a year earlier, on 77 sales. The median home went under contract in 32 days and sold for 100.8% of its list price, with 43% of homes selling above list. Supply stood at 3.7 months, and Census figures put the owner-occupied share at 51%.
Downey tied for the fastest median sale, 32 days, but a lower owner-occupied share of 51% kept it at eleventh. It sits about 13 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, with four freeways in reach: the I-105, I-5, I-605 and I-710. The Metro C Line stops at Lakewood Boulevard station. Downey Unified runs Downey, Warren and Columbus high schools, and the city is home to the oldest operating McDonald's restaurant. ZIP data: 90240, 90241, 90242.
12. Compton: score 62, $659,686 median
Redfin's median sale price in Compton was $659,686 for the three months to September 2026, +2.3% on a year earlier, on 94 sales. The median home went under contract in 48 days and sold for 101.7% of its list price, with 53% of homes selling above list. Supply stood at 3.6 months, and Census figures put the owner-occupied share at 56%.
Compton has the lowest median price in the top twelve, and homes sold for 101.7% of list on average, the highest ratio on this list. It was the eighth city in Los Angeles County to incorporate, in 1888, and is known as the "Hub City" for its central location. Almost all of Compton is in Compton Unified School District. Compton Airport on Alondra Boulevard is a general aviation field. ZIP data: 90220, 90221, 90222.
Where the other 29 suburbs placed
These cities met the 60-sale rule but scored lower. A low score here means homes took longer to sell, supply was deeper or more homes are rented, not that a city is a poor place to live. Several well-known suburbs sit in this group because they have large rental markets (Glendale, Santa Monica) or slower luxury sales (Beverly Hills, Calabasas).
| Rank | City | Score | Median sale price | Median days on market | Months of supply | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Rancho Palos Verdes | 58 | $1,758,163 | 45 | 3.6 | 80% |
| 14 | Glendora | 57 | $878,582 | 43 | 3.8 | 68% |
| 15 | Redondo Beach | 56 | $1,541,766 | 47 | 2.3 | 53% |
| 16 | Lancaster | 53 | $474,774 | 41 | 4.3 | 61% |
| 17 | El Monte | 50 | $788,624 | 48 | 3.7 | 42% |
| 18 | Gardena | 49 | $814,612 | 47 | 2.4 | 47% |
| 19 | Claremont | 49 | $1,039,505 | 51 | 3.2 | 64% |
| 20 | San Dimas | 49 | $834,603 | 50 | 3.4 | 72% |
| 21 | Covina | 48 | $799,619 | 52 | 3.9 | 63% |
| 22 | Arcadia | 47 | $1,739,172 | 46 | 4.4 | 60% |
| 23 | Burbank | 46 | $1,176,940 | 46 | 3.2 | 49% |
| 24 | Palmdale | 45 | $511,257 | 50 | 4.1 | 66% |
| 25 | Culver City | 45 | $1,399,334 | 49 | 4.5 | 51% |
| 26 | Pasadena | 44 | $1,179,438 | 52 | 3.9 | 45% |
| 27 | Santa Clarita | 41 | $784,626 | 54 | 3.9 | 72% |
| 28 | Monterey Park | 41 | $889,576 | 42 | 4.3 | 52% |
| 29 | Glendale | 41 | $1,209,424 | 43 | 4.2 | 32% |
| 30 | Long Beach | 37 | $909,567 | 47 | 3.7 | 42% |
| 31 | Pomona | 37 | $659,686 | 51 | 4.3 | 54% |
| 32 | Diamond Bar | 33 | $1,095,478 | 62 | 4.7 | 78% |
| 33 | Monrovia | 32 | $1,049,500 | 53 | 3.4 | 48% |
| 34 | Azusa | 31 | $687,173 | 63 | 3.8 | 59% |
| 35 | Calabasas | 28 | $1,679,200 | 63 | 4.5 | 71% |
| 36 | Santa Monica | 27 | $1,809,138 | 49 | 5 | 32% |
| 37 | Montebello | 24 | $878,582 | 68 | 3.8 | 46% |
| 38 | Alhambra | 14 | $864,588 | 69 | 4.7 | 41% |
| 39 | Beverly Hills | 8 | $4,029,331 | 77 | 6.9 | 48% |
| 40 | Inglewood | 6 | $759,638 | 85 | 5.1 | 35% |
| 41 | West Hollywood | 2 | $994,526 | 97 | 8.1 | 37% |
For high-end coastal and canyon cities, a long time on market is normal: fewer buyers can afford the price, and sellers often wait for the right one. Read our Redondo Beach, Long Beach and Beverly Hills guides for local detail, and the Los Angeles County market data page for monthly county trends.
How to choose a Los Angeles suburb
Start with the commute you will actually drive
Los Angeles County is large, and a suburb that looks close on a map can mean a long drive at rush hour. Test the trip at the time you would make it, and check whether a Metro rail line (the A, C or the Metrolink network) or an express bus such as Foothill Transit's Silver Streak serves your route.
Check schools by address, not by city
Many of these suburbs are split between two or more school districts. Lakewood alone is served by Long Beach, Bellflower and ABC unified districts. Use the district's own address lookup to confirm the assigned school, and compare results on the California School Dashboard.
Budget for tax and insurance, not just price
Under Proposition 13 your property tax starts at about 1% of the price you pay, plus local bonds and assessments that vary by tax rate area. Our Los Angeles County property tax guide shows the math. Get an insurance quote early, especially near hillsides covered in brush, and read our California homeowners insurance guide and wildfire zones guide.
Ask escrow about city transfer taxes
Every sale in the county pays the county documentary transfer tax, and some cities, including the City of Los Angeles, add their own on top. The amount can change your closing costs by thousands of dollars. Our California transfer tax guide explains the rules.
Read the demand numbers before you offer
A city where homes sell above list in about a month calls for a strong first offer. In cities with more than four months of supply, such as Arcadia, Culver City or Glendale in this data, you may have room to negotiate on price or repairs. A local agent can pull the last few comparable sales for the street you want.