At about 1.8 square miles, La Palma is the smallest city in Orange County by land area, and that small size is a big part of its appeal. Here is what buyers should know about living in La Palma.

A Small City With a Big History

La Palma was incorporated in 1955 under the name Dairyland, back when the area was dotted with dairy farms. As the dairies moved away, residents voted in 1965 to rename the city La Palma, after its main street, La Palma Avenue. Today it is almost entirely residential, has its own police department, and has been named to Money magazine's Best Places to Live list several times.

What Homes Cost in La Palma

Because the city is so small, only a handful of homes are for sale at any time. As of October 2026, about a dozen homes and townhomes are listed, priced from roughly $675,000 to about $1.55 million, with an average asking price near $1.1 million and about $650 per square foot. Most single-family homes were built in the 1960s and 1970s.

With so few listings, the right home can sell quickly, so it pays to have your financing ready and an agent watching the market for you. Browse current listings on our La Palma homes for sale page, or track active, pending and sold homes on the La Palma Market Report.

Everyday Life

  • Central Park and the Civic Center: the heart of the community, with sports fields, walking areas and city events.
  • Close to everything: Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland and Long Beach are a short drive away.
  • Easy commuting: the 91 freeway runs along the city's northern edge, with the 5 and 605 close by.

Schools

Elementary schools in La Palma are split between the Centralia and Cypress school districts depending on the neighborhood. Always confirm the assigned schools for a specific address before you make an offer.

Nearby Options

If you love La Palma but want more homes to choose from, neighboring Cypress and Buena Park offer a similar location with more listings.

Thinking of Selling?

Low inventory can work in a seller's favor. Get a free home value estimate to see what your La Palma home could sell for today.

Talk to a Local Orange County Broker

Thinking about buying or selling in La Palma? Namneet Dhaliwal and Zone Realty can walk you through neighborhoods, pricing and timing. Call (714) 932-9409 or send us a message. DRE #01393340.