salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 97% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.3 years of household income. Most homes (75.9%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 62.9% 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 611 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Rancho Mission Viejo?
Share of households by yearly income. 63.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Rancho Mission Viejo
| Size | Rancho Mission Viejo | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,879 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,707 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Rancho 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 Rancho Mission Viejo, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Rancho Mission Viejo
Life in Rancho Mission Viejo
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Rancho Mission Viejo?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,202 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,110,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $111,010 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA?
Renting in Rancho Mission Viejo 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 Rancho Mission Viejo?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $140,040 a year, or $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Rancho Mission Viejo cheap or expensive?
Rancho Mission Viejo is rated OK: rent takes 20.2% of the typical household income of $207,949. It ranks 611th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Rancho Mission Viejo?
The median homeowner in Rancho Mission Viejo pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.90% of the median home value.
Is Rancho 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 Rancho Mission Viejo?
The median home value in Rancho Mission Viejo is $1,110,100, about 5.3 times the typical yearly household income.
11,971 people live in Rancho Mission Viejo. Numbers are typical (middle) values.