The closest independent city to Los Angeles' downtown is Vernon, a city in California located five miles south of the metropolis. As to the United States Census Bureau, the total area of the city is 5.2 square miles. Its area is made up of 0.2 sq mi (3.57%) of water and 5.0 sq mi of land.

The Los Angeles Unified School District oversees Vernon, and the closest public schools are Huntington Park High School, Holmes Ave Elementary School, George Washington Carver Middle School, Gage Middle School, and Vernon City Elementary School, which is situated inside the city limits.

Mostly an industrial community, Vernon is known for its metalworking, glass and plastic equipment manufacturing, and food service industry. Specialized services that are suited to the city's industrial character are provided by its Class 1-rated fire department and its dedicated health department. The $250 million yearly revenue of Vernon is derived from well-known corporations like Lucky Brand Jeans and Bon Appetit Bakery. As a result of environmental issues, the city has to deal with closure and regulatory proceedings. One such issue is lead pollution from the Exide battery recycling factory. The Derby Dolls roller derby league is hosted in Vernon, which continues to be a significant player in the industrial sector despite these problems.

With a Cost of Living score of 161.7, Vernon, California, maintains a 7.9% lower cost of living than the state average while topping the national average by 61.7%. With an average property price of $766,100, Vernon has a higher average home price than both the national and California averages by 126.6% and 4.4%, respectively. At $1,850 per month, rent for a two-bedroom apartment is 16.2% less than the state average and 29.4% less than the national average. A minimum yearly income of $146,880 for a family and $58,400 for an individual is advised in Vernon in order to sustain a moderate standard of living.