How much does it cost to rent in Dana Point, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Dana Point, CA is $4,249. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Dana Point cheaper than other California cities?

Dana Point is one of the pricier cities in California, ranking #35 out of 387 cities tracked at $4,249/mo.

When was Dana Point rent data last updated?

Dana Point rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Dana Point

Name: Average Rent Prices in Dana Point, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 32,790·35th most expensive in California·Dana Point rents are up 14.8% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$4,249/mo

Year-over-Year

+14.8%

Month-over-Month

-3.1%

vs US Median

+$2,284

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Dana Point · $4,249

More expensive than 98% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

62/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% below what Dana Point's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$4,249/mo

Expected by trend

$4,515/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Dana Point's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,655

1 BR

$2,770

2 BR

$3,275

3 BR

$4,435

4 BR+

$5,295

Research median

$3,275/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$50,988/yr

At $4,249/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 14.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+14.8% YoY, -3.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Dana Point, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 56.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

32,790

Median income

$141,520

Median age

47.4

Renters

37.6%

Age distribution

16.5%

19.2%

24.5%

17.5%

22.3%

Under 1816.5%

18–3419.2%

35–5424.5%

55–6417.5%

65+22.3%

Gender

48.4%

51.6%

Male48.4%

Female51.6%

Race & ethnicity

77.9%

16.5%

White77.9%

Black1.8%

Hispanic16.5%

Asian3%

Other0.8%

Education (25+)

12.4%

27.1%

56.6%

No HS diploma3.9%

HS diploma12.4%

Some college27.1%

Bachelor's+56.6%

Housing tenure

62.4%

37.6%

Owner62.4%

Renter37.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Dana Point, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$3,062 → $4,249

up 38.8%

Income

$111,132 → $141,520

up 27.3%

Population

33,327 → 32,790

down 1.6%

Renter share

38.1% → 37.6%

-0.5 pts

Bachelor's+

53.2% → 56.6%

+3.4 pts

Median age

48.5 → 47.4

-1.1 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Dana Point, CA has increased from $3,062 to $4,249, a 38.8% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $111,132 in 2021 to $141,520 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.6% since 2021, moving from about 33,327 residents to roughly 32,790. College-educated residents now make up 56.6% of adults here, versus 53.2% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Dana Point, CA market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Dana Point

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View Dana Point rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Dana Point on your salary?

At $4,249/mo, how Dana Point rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 45.7% income

rent-burdened

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 64.4% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 55.9% income

severely rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 31.3% income

stretched

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 24.5% income

affordable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 68.8% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 76.2% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 61.8% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

Dana Point rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Dana Point. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Dana Point

About renting in Dana Point, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Dana Point is $4,249/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,655/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,275/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,770/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,435/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($141,520/yr), Dana Point ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 14.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Dana Point an affordable city for renters?

Dana Point is considered moderate for renters. At $4,249/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($141,520/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Dana Point slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Dana Point?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $170,000/year (~$82/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $4,249/mo in Dana Point. The local median household income is $141,520/yr, meaning the typical Dana Point household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Dana Point?

Rent in Dana Point has increased 14.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Dana Point neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Dana Point are 92629 ($4,221/mo), and 92624 ($4,475/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Dana Point is $4,249/mo.

How does Dana Point rent compare to other cities in California?

Dana Point is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #35 out of 387 tracked cities at $4,249/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Dana Point?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Dana Point ($4,249/mo): Laguna Niguel ($3,289/mo), San Clemente ($3,442/mo), Ladera Ranch ($3,769/mo).

What percentage of Dana Point residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 37.6% of Dana Point households are renters, while 62.4% are owner-occupied. Dana Point leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Dana Point rent compare to the national average?

Dana Point's median rent of $4,249/mo is $2,284 (116%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #35 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

36%

MODERATE

At $4,249/mo, rent takes ~36% of Dana Point's median household income ($141,520/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Dana Point 36%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Dana Point affordability calculator →

Nearby cities