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Cost of Living in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Population 46,990 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$2,625
Median home value$971,200
Median household income$152,560

The median rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is $2,625/month, 29% higher than the California median and 86% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $971,200, 192% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $152,560 a year, 54% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 20.6%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $105,000/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 6.4×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $4,911/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Rancho Santa Margarita vs. California vs. U.S.

Rancho Santa MargaritaCaliforniaU.S.
Median rent$2,625$2,036$1,413
Median home value$971,200$734,700$332,700
Median household income$152,560$99,122$80,734
Homeownership rate72.5%55.9%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher49.7%37.1%35.7%
Poverty rate5.7%12.0%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.1%6.6%5.2%
Work from home25.4%17.2%15.1%
Median age40.937.938.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA?

The median gross rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is $2,625 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $105,000 a year in gross income.

Is Rancho Santa Margarita, CA expensive to live in?

Rent there is 86% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 6.4 times the median household income.

Other cities in California

Los Angeles, CARent $1,933 · Income $81,939San Diego, CARent $2,313 · Income $108,077San Jose, CARent $2,669 · Income $146,427San Francisco, CARent $2,476 · Income $140,970Fresno, CARent $1,421 · Income $70,991Sacramento, CARent $1,779 · Income $87,321

Cities with a similar cost of living

Issaquah, WARent $2,590 · Income $154,669Bothell West, WARent $2,511 · Income $153,449Levittown, NYRent $2,656 · Income $146,068Burlington, MARent $2,718 · Income $146,436Highlands Ranch, CORent $2,531 · Income $159,307Harrison, NYRent $2,616 · Income $164,250

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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