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Los Angeles is the second-most populous city in the U.S., and it's one of the most diverse, both socially and economically. Credit scores in the city, as well as income and debt there, are key indicators of that economic diversity.
In Los Angeles, the average credit score of the 25 highest-scoring neighborhoods was 706 as of the second quarter (Q2) of 2019, according to Experian data—slightly higher than the national average of 703. Among those neighborhoods, however, scores varied.
As part of our ongoing look at credit scores in the U.S., Experian analyzed consumer credit and debt data from the second quarter of 2019 to see how the neighborhoods of Los Angeles differ not only in their credit scores, but their income and debt levels as well. Read on for our insights and analysis.
Bel-Air Has the Highest Credit Score
The well-known neighborhood located in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains has the highest average credit score in Los Angeles, averaging 754. That's 51 points higher than the national average and 48 points higher than the average for the West Coast city.
1. Bel-Air
This gated neighborhood in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains has the highest average estimated income—and most total debt—on this list.
Average credit score: 754
Average estimated income: $178,652
Total average debt: $443,531
2. Brentwood
Home to a long list of celebrities, Brentwood also boasts the world-famous Getty Museum.
Average credit score: 750
Average estimated income: $140,709
Total average debt: $335,914
3. Westwood
Bordered by Brentwood and Bel-Air, Westwood is home to the University of California, Los Angeles.
Average credit score: 737
Average estimated income: $106,702
Total average debt: $178,728
4. West Los Angeles
Divided by Interstate 405, this neighborhood is largely residential but is also home to studio operations for Fox Sports and local stations for Fox Broadcasting Co.
Average credit score: 736
Average estimated income: $94,366
Total average debt: $131,316
5. Atwater Village
This neighborhood borders the city of Glendale on its north side.
Average credit score: 728
Average estimated income: $89,659
Total average debt: $134,960
6. Venice
This neighborhood includes the world-famous Venice Beach. Several technology companies, including Snap Inc., have headquarters here.
Average credit score: 727
Average estimated income: $100,519
Total average debt: $186,444
7. Sherman Oaks
Located just north of Bel-Air, Sherman Oaks is primarily residential and comes complete with suburban staples such as the Galleria mall.
Average credit score: 726
Average estimated income: $105,546
Total average debt: $195,941
8. Beverly Hills
This city is home to the world-renowned Rodeo Drive shopping district and headquarters for Live Nation Entertainment and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios. While this neighborhood has the eighth-highest credit score in Los Angeles, its total average debt ranks third.
Average credit score: 724
Average estimated income: $128,949
Total average debt: $331,151
9. West Hollywood
This neighborhood is where you'll find the Sunset Strip and several entertainment studios, including Oprah Winfrey Network and Showtime, as well as famed music venues The Troubadour and Whisky a Go Go.
Average credit score: 722
Average estimated income: $103,433
Total average debt: $183,908
10. Eagle Rock
This neighborhood is located between the cities of Glendale and Pasadena and is home to Occidental College.
Average credit score: 717
Average estimated income: $86,853
Total average debt: $141,533
11. Los Feliz
Home to Griffith Park, Los Feliz is considered the birthplace of Mickey Mouse. It's also the location of two homes designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Average credit score: 715
Average estimated income: $78,906
Total average debt: $126,275
12. North Hollywood
This neighborhood encompasses the NoHo Arts District, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Hollywood Burbank Airport.
Average credit score: 703
Average estimated income: $80,184
Total average debt: $112,767
13. Little Tokyo
This neighborhood is located north of Downtown Los Angeles. Little Tokyo is one of two neighborhoods on this list where the average estimated income is higher than the total average debt, Little Armenia being the other.
Average credit score: 701
Average estimated income: $57,614
Total average debt: $53,713
14. Highland Park
This neighborhood is located southwest of the city of Pasadena.
Average credit score: 700
Average estimated income: $69,807
Total average debt: $98,684
15. Silver Lake
Originally named Ivanhoe, Silver Lake is known for its entertainment and nightlife.
Average credit score: 699
Average estimated income: $68,015
Total average debt: $73,924
16. Echo Park
This trendy neighborhood is home to a handful of parks and sports facilities, including Dodger Stadium.
Average credit score: 699
Average estimated income: $68,015
Total average debt: $73,924
17. Hollywood
This neighborhood has been home to America's film industry since the early 1900s, and still houses several historic studios.
Average credit score: 696
Average estimated income: $74,485
Total average debt: $97,730
18. Koreatown
One of the most densely populated neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Koreatown is home to the Korean American National Museum and the Korean Cultural Center.
Average credit score: 687
Average estimated income: $56,756
Total average debt: $67,592
19. Sun Valley
This neighborhood is located in the San Fernando Valley area.
Average credit score: 687
Average estimated income: $67,206
Total average debt: $86,552
20. San Pedro
Once considered a fishing village, San Pedro is home to one of the busiest ports in the world.
Average credit score: 686
Average estimated income: $69,280
Total average debt: $90,528
21. Little Armenia
This growing neighborhood within Hollywood is home to the Hollyhock House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and Barnsdall Art Park.
Average credit score: 681
Average estimated income: $55,291
Total average debt: $47,799
22. Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown LA is a large neighborhood that serves as the central business district for the city. It's home to the Staples Center, as well as headquarters for several tech companies.
Average credit score: 679
Average estimated income: $52,415
Total average debt: $64,739
23. Hyde Park
One of the oldest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Hyde Park was formerly its own city.
Average credit score: 663
Average estimated income: $66,816
Total average debt: $115,435
24. Crenshaw
Crenshaw is a suburban residential neighborhood northwest of Hyde Park.
Average credit score: 657
Average estimated income: $60,381
Total average debt: $117,557
25. South Central
This neighborhood, located just southwest of Downtown Los Angeles, is home to the University of Southern California.
Average credit score: 654
Average estimated income: $49,280
Total average debt: $57,597
Despite Income, Credit Scores Mostly "Good" or Better
While there is some correlation between income, debt and credit scores, having a high income isn't a requirement to have a high credit score.
All things considered, almost all of the neighborhoods listed in this ranking have an average credit score at or above 670, which is considered "good" by lenders. This means that despite variances in income and debt levels, residents in these neighborhoods are displaying healthy borrowing habits by paying bills on time, maintaining a low credit utilization ratio and avoiding bankruptcy.
Borrowers with good credit scores are better equipped to secure loans and credit cards with lower interest rates and good terms, which opens them up to more opportunities such as owning homes and buying cars.
Methodology: The analysis results provided are based on an Experian-created statistically relevant aggregate sampling of our consumer credit database that may include use of the FICO® Score 8 version. Different sampling parameters may generate different findings compared with other similar analysis. Analyzed credit data did not contain personal identification information. Metro areas group counties and cities into specific geographic areas for population censuses and compilations of related statistical data.
FICO® is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.