Neighborhoods: Los Angeles' Arts District vs. Seattle's Ballard

Quick Verdict

Both the Arts District in Los Angeles and Ballard in Seattle offer vibrant urban living with strong community vibes and thriving arts scenes. Ballard excels in walkability and access to grocery stores, while the Arts District provides more affordable rental options and is considered the safest neighborhood in Downtown LA. Both areas have parking challenges, but their pet-friendliness and frequent community events make them attractive for those seeking an engaging urban lifestyle. The choice depends on individual priorities regarding cost, walkability, and specific amenities.

Ballard has a higher walkability score and more readily available grocery stores compared to the Arts District.
The Arts District offers more affordable rental options than Ballard, although the data for Ballard is from 2019.
Both neighborhoods are pet-friendly and have thriving arts scenes with frequent community events.
Parking is a challenge in both neighborhoods.
The Arts District is considered the safest neighborhood in Downtown LA, while Ballard is safer than approximately 30% of U.S. cities but has higher property crime rates.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Los Angeles' Arts District	Seattle's Ballard
Walkability Score	80-85	89 to 94 (Walker's Paradise)
Public Transportation Options	Metro A and E Lines (Little Tokyo/Arts District Station), DASH Bus Route A, Bus lines 106, 4, 40	Transit score of 54. Bus lines connect to downtown Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond. RapidRide D-Line links to downtown Seattle, Crown Hill, Queen Anne, and Interbay.
Availability of Street Parking	Mostly paid, $1/hour, two-hour limit between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday	Challenging, especially on Market Street, Ballard Avenue, and 15th Avenue.
Noise Level (Day and Night)	Dominated by traffic, construction projects can impact noise levels	Not available
Proximity to Grocery Stores	Urban Radish	Safeway, Ballard Market, Trader Joe's, PCC Community Markets, Town & Country Market
Number of Art Galleries/Studios	Numerous, including Art Share LA, Hauser & Wirth, ICA LA, and The Box Gallery	Several galleries and performance spaces; Ballard ArtWalk is a monthly event.
Frequency of Community Events	Frequent community events, street markets, and art walks. Art Share L.A. hosts regular events	Ballard SeafoodFest, Ballard Farmers Market, Ballard ArtWalk, Wine Walks
Diversity of Restaurant Cuisine	Diverse, from Michelin-starred restaurants to small, owner-operated businesses	Vietnamese, Indian, Sri Lankan, Scandinavian cuisines. Ballard Avenue and Market Street are hubs.
Green Spaces and Parks	Arts District Dog Park	Golden Gardens Park, Ballard Commons Park, Ballard Corners Park; 55 sites with green space restoration potential.
Pet-Friendliness	Pet-friendly, many apartments allow pets, dog-friendly establishments like Arts District Brewing Company	Very pet-friendly; numerous pet supply stores, animal clinics, and dog-friendly establishments.
Safety and Crime Rate	Safest neighborhood in Downtown LA, caution advised at night	Safer than approximately 30% of U.S. cities. Lower crime rate than the Seattle average, though property crimes are more common. Overall crime rate is slightly below average, with violent crime rates below average and property crime rates moderately high.
Cost of Living (Rent/Property Values)	Average rent: Studio $2,707, One-bedroom $3,257, Two-bedroom $4,405, Three-bedroom $4,132 (July 2025). Median home price: $739K (May 2025)	Significantly higher than the national average. In 2019, average rent was $2,102/month, and the average home price was $742,000.

Overall Comparison

Los Angeles' Arts District: Walkability 80-85, Avg Rent $2,707-$4,405 (July 2025), Median Home Price $739K (May 2025). Seattle's Ballard: Walkability 89-94, Avg Rent $2,102 (2019), Avg Home Price $742K (2019).

Pros and Cons

Los Angeles' Arts District

Pros:

Very walkable
Well-connected with public transportation
Numerous art galleries and studios
Frequent community events
Diverse cuisine
Pet-friendly
Safest neighborhood in Downtown LA
Tight-knit, welcoming community vibe

Cons:

Street parking is mostly paid
Noise from traffic and construction
Caution advised when walking alone at night
Parking can be challenging, especially on weekend evenings

Seattle's Ballard

Pros:

Highly walkable
Good public transportation options
Proximity to many grocery stores
Thriving arts scene
Frequent community events
Diverse culinary options
Several parks and green spaces
Very pet-friendly
Generally safe

Cons:

Challenging parking
High cost of living
Property crime is more common than violent crime
Potential construction-related impacts from Ballard Link Extension project

User Experiences and Feedback

Los Angeles' Arts District

What Users Love

Convenient public transportation options
Diverse mix of artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives
Wide variety of restaurants and bars

Common Complaints

Construction projects can impact noise levels and traffic
Parking can be challenging

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

The Arts District has a tight-knit, welcoming community vibe
The Arts District is recognized as the safest neighborhood in Downtown LA

Seattle's Ballard

What Users Love

Generally considered safe for walking at night, especially in well-lit and populated areas.
Strong sense of community
Multiple grocery stores within walking distance
Several accessible parks and green spaces offering recreational activities
Diverse range of restaurants and bars, with options for different budgets.

Common Complaints

Caution is advised in quieter areas when walking alone at night.
Parking can be difficult, especially on busy streets.
The Ballard Link Extension project may cause some construction-related impacts.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

Ballard has a strong sense of community, with many residents identifying as Ballard residents rather than Seattle residents.
The commute time to downtown Seattle via bus is approximately 28-33 minutes.