7 Cheapest Places to Live in Los Angeles 2025!

Finding a reasonably priced place to live in Los Angeles can feel almost impossible, especially given the typically high rent prices. But here’s the good news: rents are dropping a bit in 2025, which means it might be easier than you think to find a spot that won’t totally wreck your budget. 

Los Angeles, CA Apartment Rent (2025)

Currently, a studio apartment costs approximately $2,077 per month, which is 6% less than before. One-bedrooms are around $2,400, down 10%, and two-bedrooms average $3,295, which is 13% cheaper. 

So if you’re a student trying to balance school, social life, and rent, this guide will show you the cheapest places to live in Los Angeles, with real numbers to help you pick the best neighborhood without stressing about money.

Lancaster, LA

If you're looking for the cheapest places to live in Los Angeles with a bit of breathing room, Lancaster is hard to beat. It’s far enough from the hustle to be peaceful, yet still connected by the Metrolink if you need to get into the city. Rent here is some of the lowest you’ll find in LA County, making it a great pick for students on a tight budget. You also get bigger living spaces for the price—yes, real square footage! For those who want affordability without completely ditching LA vibes, Lancaster checks the right boxes.

Oh, and if you’re studying remotely or at Antelope Valley College, this place is perfect—quiet and distraction-free. Apps like the amber app have tons of sublet listings here that won't murder your wallet.

Palmdale, LA

Palmdale is another top contender among the cheapest areas to live in Los Angeles, especially if you’re looking for suburban calm. It’s got solid public transportation and is just an hour and a half from downtown LA—perfect if you're commuting for classes. The cost of rent here is considerably lower than LA’s average, so you won’t be eating instant noodles for every meal. Palmdale also offers a safe, student-friendly vibe with local parks and quiet neighborhoods. If you're after affordability and balance, Palmdale is where to start your apartment search.

CSU Bakersfield has a satellite campus nearby, and the student community here is small but super supportive. Plus, the average rent in Palmdale is nearly 30% lower than central LA, yep, that's real money saved.

Panorama City, LA

Panorama City is an underrated gem among the cheapest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, especially for students trying to cut down on rent. Apartments here tend to be more affordable, and the community has a relaxed, diverse vibe. You’ll find great ethnic food, solid bus routes, and shopping centers that don’t charge Beverly Hills prices. It’s also close to major freeways, which makes getting around easier if you have classes all over the place. For a budget-friendly LA experience that still feels like LA, Panorama City fits right in.

Ideal if you’re attending Valley College or even CSUN—just hop on a quick bus or drive.

Van Nuys, LA

Van Nuys is quietly one of the cheapest places to live in LA, especially for students attending schools in the Valley. Rent prices here are significantly lower than in Hollywood or Santa Monica, and you still get that Southern California vibe, minus the financial stress. The area has tons of apartment complexes and shared houses, making it easy to find roommates or even sublets. Students at CSUN or Valley College often choose Van Nuys for the balance of location, affordability, and relatively decent safety. It’s not flashy, but it’s practical, and that counts when you’re budgeting.

Bonus: the Orange Line busway is nearby, so commuting to class doesn’t eat up your day or your wallet.

Boyle Heights, LA

Boyle Heights is one of the most culturally rich and cheapest places to live in Los Angeles, especially for students who want to stay near downtown without paying downtown rent. It has a deep-rooted community vibe, amazing taco spots, and seriously lower rent compared to its westside neighbors. The neighborhood is full of art, music, and public murals—perfect for creative souls. Students going to Cal State LA, USC, or East Los Angeles College will love the easy bus and Metro access. It’s close enough to everything, but far enough to give your wallet a break.

Plus, the cost of living here is about 20% lower than average LA spots, and affordable student apartments are easily found on amber. The Mariachi Plaza area is buzzing, and student deals are everywhere once you know where to look.

East Hollywood, LA

East Hollywood might be one of the most affordable places to live in Los Angeles, where you still feel like you're in the middle of the action. It's not glam like Beverly Hills, but that’s kind of the point—lower rent, diverse communities, and tons of student-friendly cafes and shops. Public transit is excellent here, and the Red Line puts you minutes away from USC, UCLA (via bus), or LACC. Rent for a studio or 1-bedroom is way more manageable than Central Hollywood, and roommates are easy to find. It’s fast-paced, vibrant, and real LA.

You’re basically neighbors with Los Angeles City College, and Hollywood Presbyterian is right around the corner if you’re in healthcare.

Echo Park, LA

Echo Park is one of those neighborhoods that somehow balances cool with affordable, especially if you know where to look. While rent here has gone up, it’s still one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Los Angeles with great location perks for students. You get access to Echo Park Lake, killer food trucks, vintage shops, and direct bus lines to USC, Loyola, or even downtown LA campuses. The vibe here is creative, indie, and diverse, perfect if you’re into music, film, or art. Also, tons of converted houses and duplexes make shared student housing in Echo Park way more chill.

Some of the most popular housing and apartments in Echo Park include, Atlas House, Tenten Wilshire, and The Alice (623 N Normandie Ave).

How Do Surrounding Cities Stack Up Against the Cheapest Places to Live in Los Angeles?

Compared to the cheapest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, some of the surrounding cities are in a whole different rent league. Irvine and Laguna Beach are topping the charts with rents soaring above $3,400 for a one-bedroom (ouch). 

Even Northridge, usually seen as more suburban and calm, has spiked by 44% annually, showing how quickly rent can creep up in SoCal.

Even Hollywood and Santa Monica, often romanticized as budget-friendly for students, are still notably more expensive than neighborhoods like Boyle Heights or Van Nuys.

Final Thoughts on Affordable Living in LA

So here’s the thing—living in LA doesn’t have to mean draining your wallet every month. From neighborhood legends like Koreatown to lowkey gems like Van Nuys and Boyle Heights, there are actually the cheapest places to live in Los Angeles where you can enjoy the vibe without sacrificing your grocery money. If you’re a student trying to balance studies, a part-time gig, and not going broke, then bookmarking this list of affordable neighborhoods in Los Angeles might just save your sanity.

Use this Los Angeles affordable living guide as your north star, and don’t forget—smart living is cool living. Rent smart, live well, and leave some money for concerts, boba, and the occasional thrift-store splurge.