Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Los Angeles

Affordability

According to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024), the median gross rent in Los Angeles is $1,933 per month against a median household income of $81,939 per year, reflecting the significant cost burden many renters face in this market. With 64% of households renting, demand for affordable and income-based housing remains high.

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Los Angeles Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 731 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Keep in mind that crime rates are not directly comparable across cities, as agencies differ in how crimes are defined and reported.

Of the 243 HUD-assisted properties in Los Angeles tracked by Lease Lantern, 3 fall within a FEMA-designated high-flood-risk zone.

Getting Around Los Angeles

The areas around assisted properties in Los Angeles score well across all modes of travel, according to Walk Score. Note that scores reflect conditions near the assisted properties listed on this page, not the city as a whole.

• Walk Score: 93 - Walker's Paradise
• Transit Score: 73 - Excellent Transit
• Bike Score: 89

Schools

Los Angeles is served by 573 public schools across 171 school districts, including 328 elementary, 77 middle, and 159 high schools, plus 9 other schools, according to NCES Common Core of Data. Ratings and quality vary by school and district, so renters should check the specific schools assigned to any address they are considering.

Cost of Renting in Los Angeles, CA

The median household income in Los Angeles is $81,939 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. The median asking rent citywide is $1,933 per month, according to the same source -- a significant share of take-home pay for many households.

HUD-assisted, Section 8, and LIHTC housing can offer rents well below that market rate, with eligibility typically tied to your household income relative to the area median.

• Median household income: $81,939/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Median market rent: $1,933/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Share of residents who rent: 64% (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Income-based units tracked on Lease Lantern: 18,345 across 243 properties

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 243 assisted properties in Los Angeles were mapped for flood risk. Only 3 of those properties fall within a high-risk flood zone -- a very small share of the total. Most renters in HUD-assisted housing here face minimal flood exposure based on current flood zone data.