salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Incomes are on the low side for rents this high, so budgets feel tight. A typical house costs about 6.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 19.8 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $116,280 a year. That is $56 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 486 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Laguna Woods?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Laguna Woods
| Size | Laguna Woods | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $2,323 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,482 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,983 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Laguna Woods 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 Woods, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Laguna Woods
Life in Laguna Woods
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Laguna Woods?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $169 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $394,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $39,460 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Laguna Woods, CA?
Renting in Laguna Woods costs a median of about $2,907 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Laguna Woods?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $116,280 a year, or $56 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Laguna Woods cheap or expensive?
Laguna Woods is rated Expensive: rent takes 54.6% of the typical household income of $63,922. It ranks 486th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Laguna Woods?
The median homeowner in Laguna Woods pays $2,713 a year in property taxes, about 0.69% of the median home value.
Is Laguna Woods 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 Woods?
The median home value in Laguna Woods is $394,600, about 6.2 times the typical yearly household income.
17,289 people live in Laguna Woods. Numbers are typical (middle) values.