salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.9 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most homes (76.9%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $127,200 a year. That is $61 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 536 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Mission Viejo?
Share of households by yearly income. 54.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Mission Viejo
| Size | Mission Viejo | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,589 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,513 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,015 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,652 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Mission Viejo 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 Mission Viejo, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Mission Viejo
Life in Mission Viejo
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Mission Viejo?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,825 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,009,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $100,960 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Mission Viejo, CA?
Renting in Mission Viejo costs a median of about $3,180 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Mission Viejo?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $127,200 a year, or $61 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Mission Viejo cheap or expensive?
Mission Viejo is rated OK: rent takes 26.0% of the typical household income of $146,809. It ranks 536th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Mission Viejo?
The median homeowner in Mission Viejo pays $5,876 a year in property taxes, about 0.58% of the median home value.
Is Mission Viejo 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 Mission Viejo?
The median home value in Mission Viejo is $1,009,600, about 6.9 times the typical yearly household income.
92,151 people live in Mission Viejo. Numbers are typical (middle) values.