Encino vs. Tarzana: which one fits you?
Encino and Tarzana sit side by side in the south San Fernando Valley, and many buyers look at homes in both. They share Ventura Boulevard, hillside streets that climb into the Santa Monica Mountains and flat neighborhoods to the north. They also differ in price, pace and feel. Here is how they compare, so you can decide where to focus your search.
Where each one is
Both are neighborhoods in the City of Los Angeles. Encino sits between Sherman Oaks to the east and Tarzana to the west. Tarzana sits between Encino and Woodland Hills. Ventura Boulevard runs through the center of both, with the hills to the south and the flats to the north.
Prices side by side
For the period ending September 2026 (Redfin, all home types):
Encino
- Median sale price: about $1.77 million, up 22.4% from a year earlier
- Homes sold: 138
- Median days on market: 63
- Sold above list price: 28.1%
- Median price per square foot: $646
Tarzana
- Median sale price: about $1.10 million, down 9.3% from a year earlier
- Homes sold: 75
- Median days on market: 61
- Sold above list price: 22.9%
- Median price per square foot: $522
Medians move with the mix of homes that sold, so a jump or drop in one month says more about which homes sold than about values overall. Still, Encino’s median has been higher, and its price per square foot was about 24% above Tarzana’s in this period.
The hills: south of Ventura Boulevard
In Encino, homes south of the Boulevard climb into the Santa Monica Mountains on quiet, winding streets. This is where you find larger estates, gated homes and views, with Mulholland Drive along the ridge.
In Tarzana, the hills offer custom homes, larger lots and canyon views. Braemar Country Club sits in these hills, and Mulholland Drive runs along the ridge here too.
If you want a hillside home, both deliver. Encino’s hills tend to include more large estates; Tarzana’s often give you a hillside setting at a lower price per square foot.
The flats: north of Ventura Boulevard
Encino’s flats have single-family homes on level, often large lots, many of them rebuilt or expanded over the years, close to shops, schools and the Boulevard.
Tarzana’s flats range from original mid-century ranch houses to newer rebuilds on level lots, close to parks and schools.
Everyday life
Encino borders the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, with Lake Balboa, golf courses, sports fields and bike paths. Los Encinos State Historic Park, near Ventura Boulevard, preserves part of the area’s early history.
Tarzana’s stretch of Ventura Boulevard has restaurants, shops and offices, and Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center is a major local landmark. Condos and townhomes are mostly near the Boulevard. The neighborhood takes its name from Tarzan, because author Edgar Rice Burroughs once owned a ranch here.
The Persian community in both
Encino has long been a center of the Persian community in Los Angeles. Many families look for homes there to be close to relatives, community centers, restaurants and shops along Ventura Boulevard. Tarzana is a popular choice for Persian-speaking families who want to stay close to that community, often with more home for the money.
How to choose: four questions
- What is your budget per square foot? If Encino stretches it, compare the same type of home in Tarzana.
- Hills or flats? Decide this first; it shapes the search more than the neighborhood name does.
- Where do you spend your weekends? Sepulveda Basin and the east end of the Boulevard point to Encino; the west end points to Tarzana.
- Who do you want to be close to? Family, schools and community often decide it.
Working with Rana in Encino and Tarzana
Rana Khanjani works from her office on Ventura Boulevard in Encino and helps families buy, sell and lease homes in Encino, Tarzana and nearby neighborhoods, in English or Farsi. She compares recent sales on the same streets so you can see what your budget buys in each. Comparing Encino and Tarzana? Call (818) 723-9071, or read about her work with Persian-speaking families.
Frequently asked questions
Is Encino more expensive than Tarzana?
In the period ending September 2026, Encino’s median sale price was about $1.77 million and Tarzana’s about $1.10 million (Redfin). Prices for a specific home depend on its location, size and condition.
Are Encino and Tarzana part of Los Angeles?
Yes. Both are neighborhoods in the City of Los Angeles.
Which is better for Persian families?
Both have a large Persian community. Encino has long been its center; Tarzana is next door and often offers more space for the price.
