The South Bay is the coastal corner of Los Angeles County at the south end of Santa Monica Bay, which is where its name comes from. It holds 15 cities plus parts of the City of Los Angeles and unincorporated county areas, and it sits between LAX and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (South Bay Cities Council of Governments).
With wide sandy beaches, a bike trail by the water and a relaxed feel, it’s no wonder so many people want to call the South Bay home. So which city is the best place to live? That depends on you. Here is who six popular South Bay cities suit, with the trade-off for each.
TLDR Quick Guide
- This guide covers six places, north to south: El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance and the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
- Torrance has the lowest median rent ($2,280) and home value ($1,074,700) of the six (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024).
- Hermosa Beach is the most walkable (Walk Score 87). Rancho Palos Verdes is the least (28).
- El Segundo has the shortest average commute (23.6 minutes) and three Metro K Line stations.
- Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach home values top the Census Bureau’s $2,000,000 reporting limit.
South Bay Cities Compared
| City | Population (July 2025) | Median Gross Rent | Median Home Value | Owner-Occupied Homes | Average Commute | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Segundo | 16,379 | $2,556 | $1,587,500 | 42.5% | 23.6 min | 65 |
| Manhattan Beach | 33,122 | $3,449 | $2,000,000+ | 64.8% | 28.0 min | 73 |
| Hermosa Beach | 18,513 | $2,887 | $2,000,000+ | 50.6% | 28.5 min | 87 |
| Redondo Beach | 67,281 | $2,691 | $1,279,200 | 53.4% | 27.0 min | 75 |
| Torrance | 138,391 | $2,280 | $1,074,700 | 55.0% | 26.9 min | 67 |
| Rancho Palos Verdes | 39,654 | $3,500+ | $1,609,400 | 80.4% | 32.8 min | 28 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (population estimates for July 1, 2025; rent, home value, owner and commute figures for 2020-2024) and Walk Score, October 2026. A plus sign marks the highest value the Census Bureau reports.
El Segundo: Short Commutes Beside LAX
Who it suits: Anyone who works near the airport and hates long drives. El Segundo’s average commute is 23.6 minutes, the shortest of the six.
Housing: It’s the smallest city in our table, and most homes are rented (42.5% are owner-occupied). Median rent is $2,556.
Getting around: The Metro K Line has three stations here: Mariposa, El Segundo and Douglas. Mariposa to the LAX/Metro Transit Center takes 6 minutes on Metro’s timetable (effective June 7, 2026).
The trade-off: You live next to LAX and to Chevron’s El Segundo refinery, which Chevron calls the largest on the West Coast. Visit at different times of day before you commit.
Moving here? Meet our El Segundo movers.
Manhattan Beach: Beach Living With Its Own K-12 Schools
Who it suits: Buyers with a generous budget who want sand and schools in one package. The city has over 2 miles of ocean frontage and a 900-foot pier (LA County Beaches and Harbors), plus its own K-12 district, Manhattan Beach Unified.
Housing: Mostly owners (64.8%). The median home value tops the Census Bureau’s $2,000,000 limit, and median rent is $3,449.
Getting around: Walk Score is 73. There is no Metro rail stop in the city. K Line stations are in neighboring El Segundo and Redondo Beach.
The trade-off: Price. Median household income is $204,306, the highest of the six (2020-2024), and housing costs match.
Our Manhattan Beach movers are ready when you are.
Hermosa Beach: Small, Walkable and Right on the Sand
Who it suits: Renters and anyone who’d rather walk than drive. Hermosa covers just 1.43 square miles, has almost 2 miles of ocean frontage and earns a Walk Score of 87, the highest of the six.
Housing: About half of homes are rented (50.6% are owner-occupied). Median rent is $2,887, and the median home value tops $2,000,000.
Getting around: On foot or by bike (Bike Score 71). There is no Metro rail stop in the city, so longer trips mean a car or a bus.
Schools: The city’s district runs TK through 8th grade. For high school, students choose Mira Costa in Manhattan Beach or Redondo Union in Redondo Beach (Hermosa Beach City School District).
The trade-off: Elbow room. With 13,834 people per square mile in 2020, it’s the most crowded city here, and street parking by the beach is metered.
Say hello to our Hermosa Beach movers.
Redondo Beach: A Harbor, a Pier and More Homes to Choose From
Who it suits: People who want a beach city with more choice. Redondo has twice the population of Manhattan Beach, plus King Harbor, a horseshoe-shaped pier and 15 parks (City of Redondo Beach).
Housing: A mix of owners (53.4%) and renters. The median home value is $1,279,200 and median rent is $2,691, both below Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach.
Getting around: The K Line starts at Redondo Beach station, which has free parking. Trains reach the LAX/Metro Transit Center in 12 minutes and Expo/Crenshaw, where you can change to the E Line, in 33.
The trade-off: Not every address is near the sand. The city runs inland to an industrial area in the north and the Galleria mall in the east, so check the map.
Our Redondo Beach movers are happy to help.
Torrance: The Most Home for Your Money
Who it suits: Families and buyers who want more space for the budget. Torrance is the largest city here, with the lowest median home value ($1,074,700) and rent ($2,280) of the six.
Housing: 55.0% of homes are owner-occupied. Torrance Unified reports 22,150 students in 34 schools (district snapshot, October 2026).
Getting around: Mostly by car. Walk Score is 67 and Transit Score is 37. Rail is on the way: Metro approved the 4.5-mile K Line Extension to Torrance in January 2026 and estimates completion in late 2036, pending funding.
The trade-off: It’s less of a beach town. Torrance Beach is a lovely 40-acre stretch below the cliffs, but the city covers 20.5 square miles, so most homes are a drive from the water.
Talk to our Torrance movers.
Palos Verdes: Quiet Hills Above the Ocean
Who it suits: Buyers who want space, quiet streets and ocean views. “Palos Verdes” covers four cities on the Peninsula: Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates.
Housing: Owners dominate: 80.4% of homes in Rancho Palos Verdes and 89.7% in Palos Verdes Estates (2020-2024). Schools belong to Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified.
Getting around: You’ll drive. Rancho Palos Verdes has a Walk Score of 28 and the longest average commute of the six, 32.8 minutes.
The trade-off: Distance and, in places, the ground itself. Rancho Palos Verdes says its landslide complex covers more than two of the city’s roughly 14 square miles. Check any address with the city before you buy.
Our Palos Verdes movers would love to help.
Planning Your South Bay Move With Pure Moving Company
Picked your city? Pure Moving Company makes the next part easy! We believe moving shouldn’t be stressful, and we really care about getting your day right.
Beach homes can mean stairs and a long carry from the truck. That’s fine with us. There’s no additional fee for stairs or long walking distance, and no hidden fees. Our hourly rate includes the packing materials that protect your things, such as blankets, wardrobe boxes, shrink wrap and tape.
We wrap your furniture with care, and Pure Moving is licensed (MTR0191103) and insured. Have ANY questions? Call us! Our number is 800-816-5121. You can also meet our Los Angeles movers.
Key Takeaways
- There is no single best city. Match the place to your budget, commute and lifestyle.
- For lower housing costs, start with Torrance or Redondo Beach.
- For walkability, look at Hermosa Beach. For a short commute and rail, El Segundo.
- For top-budget beach living, Manhattan Beach. For space and quiet, Palos Verdes.
- Every city has a trade-off, so visit before you sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cities are in the South Bay of Los Angeles?
The South Bay Cities Council of Governments lists 15: Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates and Torrance. Parts of the City of Los Angeles and unincorporated county areas count too.
Which South Bay city in this guide has the lowest housing costs?
Torrance. Its median gross rent is $2,280 and its median home value is $1,074,700, the lowest of the six (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024). El Segundo has the next lowest rent, and Redondo Beach has the next lowest home value.
Is Torrance a beach city?
Partly. Torrance has its own 40-acre beach, and the 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail ends there (LA County Beaches and Harbors). But the city covers 20.5 square miles, so most neighborhoods are a drive from the sand.
