salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 91% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 12.9 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. It is a highly educated city: 69.3% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $140,040 a year. That is $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 602 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Laguna Beach?
Share of households by yearly income. 54.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Laguna Beach
| Size | Laguna Beach | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,794 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,548 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,581 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,483 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Laguna Beach overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Laguna Beach, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Laguna Beach
Life in Laguna Beach
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Laguna Beach?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $10,376 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $2,000,000+ home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $200,000 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Laguna Beach, CA?
Renting in Laguna Beach costs a median of about $3,500+ a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Laguna Beach?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $140,040 a year, or $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Laguna Beach cheap or expensive?
Laguna Beach is rated OK: rent takes 27.1% of the typical household income of $155,135. It ranks 602nd cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Laguna Beach?
The median homeowner in Laguna Beach pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.50% of the median home value.
Is Laguna Beach more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Laguna Beach?
The median home value in Laguna Beach is $2,000,000+, about 12.9 times the typical yearly household income.
22,710 people live in Laguna Beach. Numbers are typical (middle) values.