Where to Live Near El Segundo, CA: Hawthorne vs. Lawndale for Renters [2026]

Working in El Segundo does not necessarily mean you have to live inside El Segundo.

For apartment renters, neighboring South Bay cities such as Hawthorne and Lawndale can be worth comparing because they provide access to El Segundo's employment district while offering different apartment styles, layouts and community amenities.

The right choice depends less on which city is "better" and more on your actual commute, apartment size, parking needs, amenities and daily routine.

Here's how Hawthorne and Lawndale compare for renters looking for an apartment near El Segundo in 2026.

Why Are So Many Renters Looking Near El Segundo?

El Segundo has developed into one of Southern California's most concentrated business centers.

The city identifies itself as a major aerospace and business hub and is home to companies spanning aerospace, defense, technology, healthcare, consumer products and entertainment.

Major employers listed by El Segundo include:

• The Aerospace Corporation
• Boeing
• Blue Origin
• Mattel
• Infineon Technologies
• Kite Pharma
• Internet Brands
• Chevron
• Karl Storz

The city also benefits from proximity to LAX and the 105 and 405 freeways, highlighted by its official economic-development site as business-location advantages.

According to El Segundo Economic Development Corporation research reported by Easy Reader in June 2026, approximately 80 new or relocated hard-tech and aerospace startups established operations in El Segundo over the preceding five years. This growing employment ecosystem is another reason to compare nearby housing options.

That combination means many people who work in El Segundo look beyond the city itself when searching for housing.

Should You Live in El Segundo or a Nearby City?

There is no universal answer.

Living inside El Segundo may put you closer to a particular office, but renters should compare the complete housing picture rather than focusing only on the city name.

Consider:

• monthly housing cost
• apartment size
• parking
• commute route
• freeway access
• laundry
• pet policies
• outdoor space
• community amenities
• proximity to your regular errands

Someone working on the east side of El Segundo may have a very different commute from someone working closer to the coast.

Always test your actual route at the times you normally travel.

Hawthorne vs. Lawndale: What's the Difference for Renters?

Both cities are part of the South Bay, but the Palm View Village communities in each location offer noticeably different apartment experiences.

Hawthorne

Palm View Village Hawthorne is located at:

13629 Kornblum Avenue Hawthorne, CA 90250

It is a secured 44-home apartment community offering renovated one- and two-bedroom residences.

The property is on a residential street and includes gated access, parking and landscaped grounds.

Lawndale

Palm View Village South Silicon is located at:

14724 Inglewood Avenue Lawndale, CA 90260

South Silicon offers compact apartment layouts and is positioned near El Segundo's corporate and aerospace employment corridor.

The property includes a swimming pool, community Wi-Fi, on-site laundry facilities and carport parking.

Comparing Apartment Sizes

Your preferred apartment size may immediately make one community more relevant than the other.

Palm View Village Hawthorne

Current floor-plan information includes approximately:

Studio: around 500 sq. ft.

1 bedroom: approximately 610–630 sq. ft.

2 bedroom: approximately 645–800 sq. ft.

Current availability may not include every floor-plan type.

Palm View Village South Silicon in Lawndale

Current property information includes compact studio and one-bedroom options, with additional layouts within the community.

South Silicon may be particularly useful for someone who doesn't need a large apartment and would rather prioritize location and community amenities.

Always check current availability because available sizes change.

Parking: An Important South Bay Consideration

Parking should be one of the first questions you ask when touring an apartment near El Segundo.

Hawthorne

Palm View Village Hawthorne currently lists:

• parking garage
• carport parking
• gated property

Lawndale

Palm View Village South Silicon currently lists:

• carport parking

Ask the leasing team how parking is assigned to the specific apartment you're considering.

Do not assume every unit automatically receives the same parking arrangement.

Which Property Has a Pool?

Palm View Village South Silicon in Lawndale includes an on-site swimming pool.

Palm View Village Hawthorne does not currently list a pool among its verified amenities.

If a swimming pool is important to you, that may make Lawndale more relevant.

If it isn't something you expect to use, other features may matter more.

Laundry

Both properties provide access to on-site laundry.

Hawthorne

Palm View Village Hawthorne has an on-site laundry room.

Lawndale

South Silicon has on-site laundry rooms that are currently being updated.

Because improvements can change, confirm the current status when scheduling your tour.

Community Wi-Fi

One feature currently listed at Palm View Village South Silicon is low-cost community Wi-Fi.

This may be worth considering for renters who work remotely or simply want another internet option.

Availability, speeds and terms should be confirmed with the leasing team before relying on it for work or other high-bandwidth uses.

What Is Palm View Village Hawthorne Like?

Palm View Village Hawthorne is a gated, landscaped 44-home community.

The renovated apartments are designed with a light, neutral interior style and include appliances and hardwood-style flooring.

First-floor residences include private patios.

Community features currently include:

• gated property
• parking garage
• carport parking
• on-site laundry
• landscaped grounds

For a renter who wants a traditional one- or two-bedroom apartment in a smaller gated community, Hawthorne may be worth comparing first.

What Is Palm View Village South Silicon Like?

Palm View Village South Silicon is located on Inglewood Avenue in Lawndale.

The property is designed around more compact floor plans and includes amenities that differ from the Hawthorne community.

Current features include:

• swimming pool
• low-cost community Wi-Fi
• on-site laundry
• carport parking
• ongoing property improvements
• nearby restaurants, fitness centers and shopping

It may make sense for someone who wants a smaller apartment while remaining near the El Segundo employment corridor.

Working in Aerospace or Technology?

El Segundo remains deeply connected to aerospace and technology.

The city currently lists companies such as The Aerospace Corporation, Boeing and Blue Origin among major employers.

El Segundo's current economic-development efforts also highlight growth in aerospace, defense, artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced manufacturing and consumer products.

If you work in one of these sectors, your exact office location matters.

Rather than searching only for "apartments near aerospace companies," enter your actual workplace into your preferred mapping service and compare routes from both Hawthorne and Lawndale.

What About SpaceX?

SpaceX has a major design and manufacturing campus in Hawthorne. The company identifies Starbase, Texas, as home to its headquarters.

That makes Hawthorne particularly relevant for renters working at or regularly visiting the SpaceX campus or other businesses in the surrounding Hawthorne employment area.

If your work takes you between Hawthorne and El Segundo, consider how frequently you'll travel to each location before choosing your apartment.

What About LAX?

El Segundo sits immediately south of Los Angeles International Airport.

That makes the broader El Segundo, Hawthorne and Inglewood area particularly relevant for renters who:

• work around LAX
• travel frequently
• work for airlines or airport-related businesses
• regularly visit companies near the airport

But proximity on a map does not always equal a short trip in Los Angeles traffic.

Check the route from the exact apartment rather than relying only on mileage.

What About the 405 and 105 Freeways?

El Segundo's business district benefits from access to both the 105 and 405 freeway corridors.

That matters for renters whose jobs or regular travel take them beyond the South Bay.

When comparing Hawthorne and Lawndale, look at the route you will actually use rather than simply choosing whichever apartment appears physically closest to your workplace.

What Should You Compare Before Choosing?

Create your own apartment checklist.

Commute

Test the route during your normal working hours.

Parking

Confirm exactly what comes with the residence.

Apartment Size

Decide whether you actually need a second bedroom or whether a smaller home would work.

Laundry

Determine whether you prefer in-unit laundry or are comfortable using an on-site laundry room.

Outdoor Space

If you value your own outdoor space, ask about patios and balconies.

Community Amenities

Decide whether you'll actually use features such as a swimming pool or community Wi-Fi.

Pets

Do not assume a pet policy.

Ask the leasing team to confirm current rules, restrictions and fees for the specific property.

Storage

Look at closets, kitchen storage and usable space rather than relying only on total square footage.

Is Hawthorne Better Than Lawndale?

Not inherently.

Housing recommendations should be based on the renter's actual needs rather than declaring one city better than another.

Palm View Village Hawthorne and Palm View Village South Silicon serve somewhat different apartment needs.

Hawthorne may be worth considering if you want:

• a one- or two-bedroom apartment
• a gated smaller community
• garage or carport parking
• a private patio in select first-floor homes
• a residential setting
• convenient access around the central South Bay

Lawndale may be worth considering if you want:

• a compact studio or one-bedroom layout
• an on-site swimming pool
• community Wi-Fi
• carport parking
• proximity to the El Segundo employment corridor
• a smaller footprint rather than paying for space you don't need

Neither list makes one community objectively better.

It simply helps narrow the search.

What If You Work From Home Part of the Week?

Hybrid work changes the apartment decision.

If you're only commuting to El Segundo two or three days per week, apartment comfort may become more important than shaving a small amount of time from the commute.

Consider:

• where you will place a desk
• natural light
• Wi-Fi options
• noise
• storage
• whether a second bedroom is useful as an office
• nearby places for coffee or lunch

The best apartment for a five-day commuter may not be the best apartment for someone working remotely most of the week.

Should You Choose an Apartment Based Only on Commute?

Probably not.

A commute is important, but you also spend a large part of your life at home.

A slightly different route may be worthwhile if another apartment gives you the floor plan, parking or amenities you will use every day.

Compare the complete package.

Questions to Ask During Your Apartment Tour

Before applying for any apartment near El Segundo, ask:

• What is the current monthly rent?
• What deposit is required?
• What lease terms are available?
• Is parking included?
• Where is my assigned parking space?
• Are utilities included?
• What laundry facilities are available?
• What is the current pet policy?
• Which appliances are included?
• Is there additional storage?
• How does package delivery work?
• What internet options are available?
• What is the maintenance request process?
• When is the apartment available?

If something materially affects your decision, confirm it before signing the lease.

Apartments Near El Segundo: The Bottom Line

El Segundo has become a major employment center for aerospace, technology, defense, healthcare, consumer brands and other industries.

That makes nearby South Bay communities increasingly relevant to people who work there.

You don't necessarily need to limit your apartment search to El Segundo itself.

Hawthorne and Lawndale both provide alternatives worth comparing.

Palm View Village Hawthorne offers renovated one- and two-bedroom apartments in a smaller gated community with garage and carport parking.

Palm View Village South Silicon in Lawndale offers compact apartment layouts with a swimming pool, community Wi-Fi and convenient access to the broader South Bay.

The right decision comes down to your commute, apartment size and the features you'll actually use.

Explore Palm View Village Apartments Near El Segundo

Palm View Village Hawthorne

13629 Kornblum Avenue, Hawthorne, CA 90250

Explore current Hawthorne apartments and schedule a tour.

Palm View Village South Silicon

14724 Inglewood Avenue, Lawndale, CA 90260

Explore current Lawndale apartments and schedule a tour.

Availability and pricing change, so check the current property listings before visiting.

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Information note: Local services, transit routes, market schedules, amenities and apartment availability can change. Verify current information with the applicable city, transit provider or Palm View Village leasing team before making a housing decision.

Fair Housing: Palm View Village Apartments provides housing without regard to protected characteristics and encourages renters to evaluate locations based on their own housing needs, commute, desired apartment features and other objective criteria.