| Studio City | Sherman Oaks | |
|---|---|---|
| Median house sale | $2.15M | $1.96M |
| Median condo sale | $795K | $682K |
| Median price per sq ft | $806 | $761 |
| Home styles | 1940s and 1950s ranch homes, traditional and Spanish houses, modern farmhouse builds; mid-century post-and-beam in the hills | 1940s and 1950s ranch homes, traditional and Cape Cod houses, many new builds; mid-century post-and-beam and contemporary in the hills |
| Typical lots and terrain | Flat lots with room for a pool north of Ventura, hillside lots toward Mulholland | Flat grid with pool-sized yards north of Ventura, hillside lots toward Mulholland |
| City | City of Los Angeles | City of Los Angeles |
| Signature streets and anchors | Ventura Blvd and sushi row, Tujunga Village, Radford Studio Center | Ventura and Van Nuys Blvds, Sherman Oaks Galleria, Westfield Fashion Square |
| Getting around | The 101 and the 170; Metro B Line at Universal City/Studio City; Laurel and Coldwater canyons | The 405 and 101 interchange; Beverly Glen and Coldwater canyons; Metro G Line a short drive north |
| Drive times (rough, off-peak) | Burbank airport often 15 to 20 minutes | Westside often 20 to 30 minutes via the 405 |
| Weather | Valley heat, summer afternoons often 15 degrees or more above the coast | Valley heat, hot and dry summers |
| Eat drink shop highlights | Asanebo, El Ruso, Alto, The Baked Potato | Anajak Thai, Mistral, Petit Trois Le Valley, Sushi Note |
Median prices: Redfin Data Center, zip codes 91604 and 91423, March to May 2026. Zip codes don't match neighborhood borders exactly.
The homes
These two Valley neighborhoods share the same pattern. North of Ventura Boulevard, the flats hold 1940s and 1950s ranch homes, traditional houses and a steady stream of new builds, often in a modern farmhouse style, on lots with room for a pool. South of Ventura, the hills climb toward Mulholland Drive with mid-century post-and-beam houses and contemporary hillside homes angled for views across the Valley.
The differences are in the details. Studio City has tree-lined pockets like the Silver Triangle and Colfax Meadows, with Spanish homes in the mix. Sherman Oaks has a grid of flat, tree-lined streets with traditional and Cape Cod style houses, and plenty of condo and townhome options near the freeways, from garden-style complexes to newer mid-rise buildings.
Prices
The price figures on this page use 91604, which covers most of Studio City, and 91423, one of two Sherman Oaks zips, which also includes parts of the area east of Van Nuys Boulevard. Sherman Oaks also spans 91403, which isn't reflected here. In both, the split between flats and hills is the biggest price factor, along with lot size, views and whether a home is original or newly built.
The feel
Studio City's main street is Ventura Boulevard, with its famous sushi row, plus Tujunga Village, a smaller block of cafes and boutiques. Radford Studio Center sits on the lot that gave the area its name, and Fryman Canyon and Wilacre Park offer trails in the hills.
Sherman Oaks centers on the busy crossing of Ventura and Van Nuys Boulevards. It has two big shopping centers, the Sherman Oaks Galleria and Westfield Fashion Square, and Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park adds ball fields, tennis courts and a pool.
Getting around
Studio City is the closer of the two to Hollywood and the studios. The Metro B Line stops at Universal City/Studio City with direct trains to Hollywood and Downtown, and Laurel and Coldwater canyons lead over the hill. Sherman Oaks sits at the 405 and 101 interchange, one of the busiest in the country. The 405 through the Sepulveda Pass is the main route to Westwood, Santa Monica and LAX, often 20 to 30 minutes to the Westside off-peak and much longer at rush hour. Homes near either freeway can pick up noise.
City and rules
Both are part of the City of Los Angeles, so the rules match: City of LA permits, hillside building limits south of Ventura, and rent stabilization on many pre-1978 multi-unit buildings. Hillside homes in both often fall in very high fire hazard severity zones, which can affect insurance. Check the address on the CAL FIRE maps, and plan for pool, retaining wall and drainage inspections.
Weather
Both get true Valley weather. Summer afternoons can run 15 degrees or more warmer than the coast, and winters are mild. AC, shade and a pool all get real use in either neighborhood.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between Studio City and Sherman Oaks?
They have similar homes, with ranch and traditional houses in the flats and hillside view homes toward Mulholland. Studio City sits farther east, near the studios and a Metro B Line station. Sherman Oaks sits at the 405 and 101 interchange, with larger shopping centers and a direct route to the Westside.
Which is closer to the Westside, Studio City or Sherman Oaks?
Sherman Oaks has the most direct route, the 405 through the Sepulveda Pass, often 20 to 30 minutes to the Westside off-peak. Studio City relies more on Laurel and Coldwater canyons to reach West Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
Are Studio City and Sherman Oaks in the City of Los Angeles?
Yes. Both are San Fernando Valley neighborhoods within the City of Los Angeles, so City of LA permits, hillside building limits and rent stabilization on many pre-1978 multi-unit buildings apply in each.
