Quick answer
310 is the long-established West Los Angeles code (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, beach cities) and carries the most prestige, but clean numbers are scarce. 424 is the 2006 overlay covering the same Westside area — less status, but far easier to get. Both require 10-digit dialing and are equally local. Pick 310 for prestige, 424 for availability.
310 vs 424 at a glance
| Dimension | 310 | 424 |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 1991 (Westside split) | 2006 (overlay) |
| Type | Established geographic code | Overlay on the same area |
| Coverage | West LA — Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, beach cities | West LA (identical geography) |
| Prestige signal | High — recognized Westside / Beverly Hills code | Modern West LA presence |
| Availability | Scarce (heavily assigned) | Easier — newer code, more inventory |
| Dialing | 10-digit required | 10-digit required |
When to choose 310
Choose 310 when Westside prestige matters — a Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, or West LA business, a brand that markets its number, or anyone who wants the recognizable Westside code. 310 has served West LA since 1991 and is now heavily used, so clean or memorable 310 numbers are limited and the best patterns go fast.
When 424 is the smart pick
Choose 424 when you want a genuine West LA number without hunting for scarce inventory. Introduced in 2006 as the overlay on 310, 424 covers the identical Westside geography and reads as fully local. For most new businesses it is the practical choice — same area, easier to get a clean number.
Why there are two codes for West LA
310 and 424 are overlay codes: two area codes stacked on the same region. The 424 overlay was added in 2006 because 310 was running out of numbers — 310 now has roughly 99% of its central-office prefixes assigned. Overlays add numbering capacity without making existing 310 holders renumber — which is why every West LA call now uses 10-digit dialing.
How to get a 310 or 424 number with DialPhone
Setting up either as a virtual business number takes under 10 minutes:
- Start a free trial. Any DialPhone plan from $24/user/month — no credit card for the 14-day trial.
- Search 310 or 424 inventory. Filter available West LA numbers by code and pattern.
- Configure call handling. Set up the AI receptionist, routing, and business SMS — no hardware.
- Port an existing LA number (optional). Free porting in 2–5 business days with zero downtime.
Related Los Angeles area code guides
- Read the full 310 area code guide or the 424 area code guide.
- Comparing downtown codes too? See 213 vs 323, or every code on the California area codes hub.
310 vs 424 — FAQ
Is 310 better than 424?
Neither is objectively "better" — they cover the same West Los Angeles geography. 310 carries more prestige as the long-established Westside code (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, the beach cities), while 424 (2006) is the newer overlay that is easier to obtain. Choose 310 for status, 424 for availability.
Can I still get a 310 number?
310 is heavily assigned, so clean or vanity 310 numbers are scarce and the best patterns go quickly. 424 has more available inventory because it is the newer overlay. With DialPhone you can search both and pick whichever has the number you want.
Are 310 and 424 the same area?
Yes. 310 and 424 are overlay codes serving the identical West LA region — Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City, and the beach cities. A 424 number is just as local to the Westside as a 310 number; the difference is age and prestige, not location.
Do I dial 310 and 424 numbers differently?
No. Because 310 and 424 overlay the same region, all calls require 10-digit dialing (area code + 7-digit number) regardless of which code you have. From anywhere in the US or Canada you dial 1 + the area code + the number.