Best Los Angeles Neighborhoods for Families: Ranked by Data

For families weighing Los Angeles neighborhoods, the two factors that matter most — school quality and crime — account for 75% of NeighborScore's composite formula. That weighting places Beverly Hills (ZIP 90210) at 82/100, Hollywood (90028) at 62/100, and South Central (90001) at 41/100. The data behind each score tells a clear story about what each ZIP delivers for families with children.

Beverly Hills (90210): LA's Best Family ZIP at 82/100

Beverly Hills earns its top ranking on the two dimensions families care most about. NCES EdFacts assessment data shows schools in ZIP 90210 reaching 81% math proficiency and 84% reading proficiency — the highest rates in NeighborScore's Los Angeles dataset and among the highest in California. The school score of 91/100 is the highest across all nine ZIP codes in NeighborScore's pilot dataset. On crime, city data shows approximately 4 violent incidents per month, giving 90210 a crime score of 74/100.

The cost is real: a median home price of $1,240,000 and rents of $4,200/mo. Beverly Hills Unified is a small, well-resourced district with per-pupil spending well above California averages. For families who can access the market, the school score of 91 combined with a crime score of 74 justifies the premium.

Hollywood (90028): A Mid-Tier Option for Families at 62/100

Hollywood scores 62/100, with a school score of 65/100 reflecting 55% math proficiency in local schools per NCES data. That is 26 points below Beverly Hills on schools and 26 points below on crime (48/100). For families who cannot access Beverly Hills's price point, Hollywood at $680,000 median home price offers a workable middle ground — but the school data warrants scrutiny. School quality in 90028 varies significantly by specific school; families should review individual school proficiency rates on NeighborScore before committing.

South Central (90001): Not Recommended for Families Based on Data

South Central scores 41/100, with a crime score of 28/100 and a school score of 39/100. NCES data shows local schools reaching 32% math proficiency — less than half of Beverly Hills's rate. City data shows approximately 28 violent incidents per month. The value score of 88/100 reflects the genuine affordability of $480,000 median homes and $1,650/mo rents, but NeighborScore's formula weights crime and schools at 75% of the composite for exactly this reason: low price does not compensate for poor safety and school outcomes when evaluating a neighborhood for families.

LA Family Neighborhood Rankings at a Glance

• Beverly Hills (ZIP 90210) — 82/100 | School score 91 | Crime score 74 | Math proficiency 81% | Median home $1,240,000
• Hollywood (ZIP 90028) — 62/100 | School score 65 | Crime score 48 | Math proficiency 55% | Median home $680,000
• South Central (ZIP 90001) — 41/100 | School score 39 | Crime score 28 | Math proficiency 32% | Median home $480,000

Explore school-by-school NCES data and monthly crime trends for Beverly Hills (90210), Hollywood (90028), and South Central (90001) on NeighborScore.

Bottom Line: For families in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills (90210) is the clear data leader at 82/100, with a school score of 91 and 81% math proficiency — the highest in the dataset. Hollywood (90028) at 62/100 is a workable alternative at $680K, but school quality varies by school. South Central (90001) at 41/100 combines below-average crime and school scores that NeighborScore's formula — designed to prioritize these two dimensions — rates as below average for family living.