$1,379,199Average Value$424Average Price per Sq Ft13Homes For Sale
Historic Japantown is a commuter-friendly neighborhood
One of the few remaining historic Japantowns in California, Sawtelle is a vibrant and culturally rich neighborhood in Los Angeles. The first generation of Japanese settled in this area, once known as Little Osaka, in the early 1900s, decades before one of the darker chapters in American history. During World War II, the community was uprooted and detained for years as fighting raged in the Pacific. After the war, much of the population returned and thrived, making it a cultural centerpiece for generations of Japanese Americans.
Today’s Sawtelle is a commuter-friendly neighborhood on the Westside of LA with easy highway access and a growing inventory of condos and apartments. “The development is not high density like in some other parts of the city, so you keep that community feel,” says Compass agent Meg Ostrow, who has over 15 years of experience on the Westside. She says Sawtelle attracts a younger multicultural crowd. “First-time buyers are drawn to this area because it’s still relatively affordable. Younger families are moving in because they can get a backyard and still have the walkability,” Ostrow says.
Sawtelle is a diverse and culturally rich neighborhood in Los Angeles.
Sawtelle Japantown is known for its Japanese cultural influences and businesses
1/2
People are drawn to dining on Sawtelle Boulevard
The neighborhood has shopping and dining opportunities throughout, but the highest concentration is on Sawtelle Boulevard. “People are drawn to all the restaurants there right now. You’ve got noodle shops, coffee shops and all types of Asian cuisine,” Ostrow says. “You can get a great meal, and it’s very walkable.” Tatsu Ramen is a bright, modern venue for Japanese noodle soups. The menu includes many vegan and gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions. Hide Sushi is another popular Japanese spot — it offers traditional sashimi, rolls, entrees and a sushi bar. “The cuisine is just authentic, and it’s not expensive. If you go to Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, it costs a fortune to eat out, but it’s still affordable here,” Ostrow says. The Nijiya Market is a Japanese specialty store, but for stocking up on everyday groceries, there’s a Ralphs Fresh Fare and a Trader Joe’s just a few blocks away on West Olympic Boulevard.
Sawtelle is a go to spot to dine and hang out for many UCLA students.
Sawtelle Blvd is a host to many popular restaurants and dessert places.
1/2
Nisei Week Japanese Festival is in August
Though the event occurs in downtown Los Angeles, the Nisei Week Japanese Festival is a nine-day celebration of Japanese and Japanese-American culture and community. The 2024 festival played out over two weekends in August. The event included a grand parade, plaza festival and an Ondo music dance party, among many other activities.
Condos and apartments are the focus of developers
There is a mix of housing in Sawtelle, but over 70% of the inventory is multiunit apartments and condos. “Medium-density development has skyrocketed here in the last five-plus years because builders know this is a hotspot,” Ostrow says. “In terms of single-family, anything above 1,000 square feet is going to be a bigger home in this neighborhood.” The prewar bungalow and postwar ranch-style home are common, but there have been a lot of contemporary additions built on teardown and infill lots. Ostrow says the neighborhood has become increasingly popular with investors because of the high number of renters. “I’ve had a couple of clients that wanted to invest in this area and find a single-family home to renovate and rent out.” Single-family homes are priced between $1.2 for something vintage around 900 square feet and $3.3 million for a spacious modern stunner with over 3,500 square feet. Depending on the property's size and state, multifamily from two units and above list between $1 million and $9 million.
Over 70% of the housing inventory in the Sawtelle neighborhood is apartments.
There are still many smaller ranch-style homes in the Sawtelle neighborhood.
1/2
The Janss Family House is the first individual residential home designed by Frank Gehry.
Standout piece of architecture on Purdue Avenue
There is a standout piece of outside-the-box architecture among the modern and traditional homes here. The Janss Family House on Purdue Avenue is the first individual residential home designed by world-famous Frank Gehry. The airy home full of big white walls and soaring ceilings was designed to show off the impressive art collection of Edwin Janss Jr. The home was built in 1975 and underwent a remarkable renovation by Los Angeles-based architect Dan Brunn in 2017. In keeping with Gehry’s intention to build a greenhouse, a meditation garden enclosed by glass at the top of the stairs was included in the update.
Stoner Park Recreation Center has co-ed sports leagues
The primary outdoor recreation in the neighborhood spot is Stoner Park and Recreation Center. The rec center has cultural programs like summer camps and music classes, as well as sports and fitness programs like cheer and martial arts. There are co-ed sports leagues in soccer, basketball and baseball. The skate park is popular, and kids love the playground, seasonal splash pad and pool with a waterslide. There is also fitness equipment and sports facilities. The Rockreation Los Angeles Sport Climbing Center is a great place blow off some steam. Visitors like the congenial atmosphere among climbers of all skill levels as they traverse boulders and scale rock walls for fun.
Stoner Park is a popular recreational area for residents of the Sawtelle neighborhood.
The Stoner Park Skate Plaza is the perfect place for skaters to learn and practice their tricks.
1/2
Highway access comes with highway noise
Sawtelle has direct highway access, with I-405 making up the neighborhood's eastern edge and I-10 on the southern edge. "Some people really don't like the highway noise, and you will probably get some of that here," Ostrow says. Some of the train tracks to the south of the neighborhood are walled off, but some sections are just fenced. West Olympic and Santa Monica boulevards are the main thoroughfares, with four lanes and stop lights every few blocks. There are bus routes along main roads, and the Expo/Bundy metro station is walkable from anywhere in the neighborhood. Between the highways and the boulevards, residential streets in Sawtelle see some through traffic. Downtown Santa Monica is about 4 miles west, and Los Angeles is about 13 miles east. "It's very accessible if you have someone who works in LA or Orange County," Ostrow says. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is under 6 miles away, while Los Angeles International Airport is 10 miles away.
The I-405 runs parallel to the Sawtelle neighborhood.
The I-10 is a main route going East to West in the Los Angeles area.
1/2
University High School charter is graded A by Niche
Los Angeles Unified is an above-average urban school district with a B-plus grade from Niche. Kids can attend Richland Avenue Elementary, one of three walkable community primary schools in Sawtelle. Daniel Webster Middle gets a C-plus. University High School charter has an A grade from Niche, and an A-plus in teachers. The school has a magnet program called MAST, which focuses on math, art, science, and technology.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kevin Da Silva,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Stoner Recreation Center
Champion Echo Park Manager
Stoner Skate Plaza
Ohio And Bundy Triangle Park
Stoner Park and Recreation Center
Transit
Airport
Los Angeles International
17 min drive
Subway
Expo/Bundy
Bus
Santa Monica Wb & Westgate Ns
Bus
Pico Wb & Gateway Ns
Bus
Santa Monica Wb & Federal Ns
Bus
Pico Eb & Sawtelle Fs
Bus
Olympic Wb & Centinela (East) Ns
Bus
Pico Eb & Barrington Ns
Bus
Olympic Eb & Sawtelle Fs
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Sawtelle
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
7
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Sawtelle Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Sawtelle, West Los Angeles sell after 68 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Sawtelle, West Los Angeles over the last 12 months is $536,500, up 26% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nestled on a quiet, tree-lined street just steps from vibrant Sawtelle Japantown, this beautifully updated townhouse blends modern design with urban convenience. Spanning 1,450 square feet, this spacious 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home is flooded with natural light and boasts soaring cathedral ceilings in the primary bedroom, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. The kitchen features sleek granite
Discover this spacious and sophisticated 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo tucked on a quiet, tree-lined street in one of West LA's most desirable pockets, just minutes from both Santa Monica and Brentwood. The smart, single-level layout offers ideal separation between the two bedrooms, with the primary and guest rooms located on opposite ends perfect for privacy, hosting guests, or shared living. The
Modern West LA living at its best! Vacant & Move-In Ready. Tucked away in a quiet rear lot just moments from Sawtelle's vibrant dining corridor, this 3BD/3.5BA modern single-family home offers the ideal blend of privacy, smart design, and effortless city living. Now freshly painted and ready for its next chapter! Designed for the way we live and work today, this sunlit home spans three levels.
PRIME WEST LA MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT! Located south of Santa Monica Blvd, between Bundy and Barrington, this well-maintained 9-unit property offers an unbeatable opportunity in one of West LA’s most desirable neighborhoods. The unit mix includes two 2-bed/2-bath units, six 1-bed/1-bath units, and one studio—ideal for attracting a variety of tenants. Residents enjoy proximity to local parks, Santa
Experience the best of West LA living in this stylish, upgraded 2 bed/2bath, Top Floor, CORNER unit offering rare privacy with only one shared wall and an abundance of natural light. One of the few units in the building with an IN-UNIT LAUNDRY, this home is the perfect blend of luxury and everyday convenience. The spacious kitchen shines with granite countertops, brand new premium stainless
Super Chic, Super Cool, Super Modern! Walk in the door and Wow, spacious open plan living room, dining and kitchen area. This condo has it all with new Luxury Vinyl Light Oak flooring, new recessed lighting, new Kitchen cabinet shaker doors and freshly painted throughout. Living room has a charming Balcony overlooking the Courtyard with Fountain which creates a very quiet, Zen atmosphere. Kitchen
Valerie NickersonBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
MOVE IN SPECIAL ~ 2 FREE weeks in Third (3rd) Month rent with approved application on qualified credit. Renovated 2 bedroom plus den and 2 bathroom in Charming Community located in Prime West Los Angeles location, just blocks from the major freeways and local shopping. Bright upper unit naturally lit features distressed hardwood floors, AC, secure video entry, recessed lighting, in unit
Top-Floor Retreat in Prime West LA Bright, Spacious, and Move-In Ready. Discover this sun-drenched, top-floor one-bedroom, one-bath apartment nestled within an intimate 8-unit building in sought-after West LA. Designed with comfort and flow in mind, the ideal open-concept floorplan seamlessly connects a spacious living room with a dedicated dining area perfect for entertaining or relaxed
Welcome to 1539 Beloit ApartmentsExperience modern co-living at 1539 Beloit, a newly renovated apartment community located in the heart of Sawtelle. Each unit features brand-new kitchen appliances, in-unit washer and dryer, spacious walk-in closets, and access to a shared rooftop area—perfect for relaxing or spending time with friends.All co-living rooms are fully furnished and
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kevin Da Silva,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
41,104
Median Age
37
Population Density
24 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.6%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$103,442
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$129,855
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.8%
College Graduates
68.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
75.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
12''
Average Winter Low Temperature
49°F
Average Summer High Temperature
70°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
92/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
88/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
62/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.