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El Sereno

El Sereno

$834,217 Average Value
$667 Average Price per Sq Ft
48 Homes For Sale

Why buyers choose El Sereno

Situated just a few miles from both Downtown LA and Pasadena, El Sereno is an Eastside Los Angeles neighborhood growing in popularity, especially among people who’ve been priced out of other parts of the city. Beyond its convenient location and relatively low housing costs, El Sereno also offers access to hiking trails, parks and a variety of community events.

Residential streets in El Sereno often feature landscaped yards and gardens.
Residential streets in El Sereno often feature landscaped yards and gardens.
Winding streets in El Sereno often lead to views of Downtown Los Angeles.
Winding streets in El Sereno often lead to views of Downtown Los Angeles.
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How El Sereno’s housing costs stack up with other parts of LA

El Sereno’s median sale price is in the mid-$800,000s, well below the citywide median. “Prices are rising, though,” says Andrew Rayas, Realtor with Compass, who is an LA native and has lived in El Sereno since 2018. “I bought my house 8 years ago, and it’s doubled in value since then.”

The area has a mix of rental properties, bungalows and Spanish-style houses from the early 1900s, midcentury ranch-style homes and newer infill. “Since 2021, we have had a huge influx of people, and I’m seeing a lot of new construction,” Rayas says. You might find:

  • Fixer-uppers selling between the low $400,000s and the low $600,000s
  • Early-to-mid 1900s houses ranging from the low $600,000s to just over $1.5 million
  • Post-2000 builds priced from the upper $800,00s to around $1.8 million
  • Condos running from the low $400,000s to the mid-$500,000s

Ranch-style homes appear throughout several El Sereno neighborhoods.
Ranch-style homes appear throughout several El Sereno neighborhoods.
Spanish homes are a common architectural style in parts of El Sereno.
Spanish homes are a common architectural style in parts of El Sereno.
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Local businesses and community events keep El Sereno residents active

“New people always ask what there is to do here,” Rayas says. “I actually started a group called the El Sereno Social Club, and we host one to three events each month, like flea markets and jazz concerts in El Sereno Park.” Even when nothing is scheduled, locals are still out and about, whether they’re picking up native plants at Artemisia Nursery or grabbing a falafel taco at Tirzah’s Mexi-Terranean. “You’ll see lots of people walking with strollers and little kids,” Rayas says. “On Saturdays, there's a line 20 deep at lil’East Coffee — it’s the community hub. Neighbors just sit outside on the stools and chat.”

Neighborhood retailers offer a range of household goods in El Sereno.
Neighborhood retailers offer a range of household goods in El Sereno.
El Aguila Bakery offers pastries and baked goods in El Sereno.
El Aguila Bakery offers pastries and baked goods in El Sereno.
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Working from home or commuting to DTLA

Pasadena is roughly 6 miles north of the community, and downtown LA is a similar distance south. “If you take the back streets, it’s only about a 15-minute drive to downtown,” Rayas says. Despite the convenient proximity to two employment hot spots, many residents don’t commute on a daily basis. “Everyone I know works from home,” Rayas says. “There are a lot of creative or remote jobs, and I’ve seen some people with home recording studios.”

School options for El Sereno kids

El Sereno is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District. The district offers school choice through magnet programs and an annual open-enrollment lottery. There are multiple schools in the area, including highly rated options like:

  • Multnomah Street Elementary School, named a California Distinguished School in 2025
  • Anawakalmekak, a public charter school for kindergarten through 12th grade with a focus on environmental education and Native American culture
  • Woodrow Wilson High School, which has firefighting and law magnet programs
In addition, California State University, Los Angeles, a public four-year college, is located in the southeastern part of the community.

Woodrow Wilson High School serves students from El Sereno and nearby areas.
Woodrow Wilson High School serves students from El Sereno and nearby areas.
Anahuacalmecac International Charter School emphasizes Indigenous-centered education.
Anahuacalmecac International Charter School emphasizes Indigenous-centered education.
A colorful mural welcomes visitors to Multnomah Street Elementary School.
A colorful mural welcomes visitors to Multnomah Street Elementary School.
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Enjoying open spaces like Ascot Hills Park

There aren’t many places in the city where you can roam freely, but El Sereno is an exception. “We have tons of outdoor space here,” Rayas says. Ascot Hills Park, spanning more than 90 acres, is a popular hiking spot with views of the city. The El Sereno Recreation Center has a playground, athletic fields and picnic tables. Houses in the northwestern part of the community are close to Elephant Hill, which local groups are working to preserve as a public nature area. Native plants have been reintroduced in some sections, and a hiking trail was completed in 2026.

Elephant Hill features hiking trails and elevated views in El Sereno.
Elephant Hill features hiking trails and elevated views in El Sereno.
A skate park adds to the amenities at El Sereno Recreation Center.
A skate park adds to the amenities at El Sereno Recreation Center.
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Ginny West
Written By
Ginny West
Canaan Hernandez
Photography Contributed By
Canaan Hernandez
Houston Knight
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Houston Knight

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Bob Hope

28 min drive

Bus

1925 Marianna

Bus

Alhambra Ave & Hollister Ave (Eastbound) (4230)

Bus

Valley & Del Paso

Bus

Templeton St & Warwick Ave (Eastbound) (4252)

Bus

Alhambra Ave & Haven St (Westbound) (4256)

Bus

5014 Valley

Bus

Cal State La Transit Center

Reviews

Are you familiar with the El Sereno neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime El Sereno US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
6,843
Number of Homes for Sale
48
Median Year Built
1941
Months of Supply
3.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,270
Significantly below the national average
1,934
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,049
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
951
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
957
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

Open Houses

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
47
Median Rent
$2,995
Median Single Family Home Rent
$3,800
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$5,500
Median Townhouse Rent
$2,900
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$4,199
Median Condo Rent
$2,350
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$2,500

Demographics

Total Population
36,497
Median Age
38
Population Density
14 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$68,502
Below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$90,375

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
69.4%
Below the national average
89%
College Graduates
23.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.6%
% Population in Labor Force
61.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
15''
Average Winter Low Temperature
46°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Fairly bikeable

Bikeability®

50 / 100

Moderately walkable

Walkability®

60 / 100

Some public transit

Transit®

50 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
El Sereno