How much does it cost to rent in Laguna Niguel, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Laguna Niguel, CA is $3,289. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Laguna Niguel cheaper than other California cities?

Laguna Niguel is one of the pricier cities in California, ranking #106 out of 387 cities tracked at $3,289/mo.

When was Laguna Niguel rent data last updated?

Laguna Niguel 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

Laguna Niguel

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

Pop. 64,139·106th most expensive in California·Laguna Niguel rents are up 5.0% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$3,289/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.0%

Month-over-Month

+0.2%

vs US Median

+$1,324

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Laguna Niguel · $3,289

More expensive than 94% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

57/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Laguna Niguel's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$3,289/mo

Expected by trend

$3,416/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,720

1 BR

$2,840

2 BR

$3,360

3 BR

$4,550

4 BR+

$5,430

Research median

$3,360/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

$39,468/yr

At $3,289/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (5.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.0% YoY, +0.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Laguna Niguel, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 59.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

64,139

Median income

$140,452

Median age

47.6

Renters

32.6%

Age distribution

17.9%

16.8%

26.3%

16.6%

22.4%

Under 1817.9%

18–3416.8%

35–5426.3%

55–6416.6%

65+22.4%

Gender

48.5%

51.5%

Male48.5%

Female51.5%

Race & ethnicity

67.4%

14.7%

White67.4%

Black1.1%

Hispanic14.7%

Asian11.3%

Other5.6%

Education (25+)

13.6%

23.2%

59.8%

No HS diploma3.3%

HS diploma13.6%

Some college23.2%

Bachelor's+59.8%

Housing tenure

67.4%

32.6%

Owner67.4%

Renter32.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Laguna Niguel, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,422 → $3,289

up 35.8%

Income

$125,495 → $140,452

up 11.9%

Population

64,608 → 64,139

down 0.7%

Renter share

33% → 32.6%

-0.4 pts

Bachelor's+

55.9% → 59.8%

+3.9 pts

Since 2021, the typical rent in Laguna Niguel, CA has climbed from $2,422 to $3,289, a 35.8% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $125,495 in 2021 to $140,452 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 59.8% of adults here, versus 55.9% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Laguna Niguel, CA market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Laguna Niguel

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View Laguna Niguel rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Laguna Niguel on your salary?

At $3,289/mo, how Laguna Niguel rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 35.4% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 49.9% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 43.3% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 24.2% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 19% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 53.3% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 59% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 47.9% income

rent-burdened

By apartment size

Laguna Niguel rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Laguna Niguel. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Laguna Niguel

About renting in Laguna Niguel, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Laguna Niguel is $3,289/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,720/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,360/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,840/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,550/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($140,452/yr), Laguna Niguel ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Laguna Niguel an affordable city for renters?

Laguna Niguel is considered affordable for renters. At $3,289/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($140,452/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Laguna Niguel falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Laguna Niguel?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $132,000/year (~$63/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,289/mo in Laguna Niguel. The local median household income is $140,452/yr, meaning the typical Laguna Niguel household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Laguna Niguel?

Rent in Laguna Niguel has increased 5.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Laguna Niguel rent compare to other cities in California?

Laguna Niguel is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #106 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,289/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Laguna Niguel?

Laguna Hills is nearby and more affordable at $3,048/mo, which is $241 less than Laguna Niguel.

What percentage of Laguna Niguel residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.6% of Laguna Niguel households are renters, while 67.4% are owner-occupied. Laguna Niguel leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Laguna Niguel rent compare to the national average?

Laguna Niguel's median rent of $3,289/mo is $1,324 (67%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #106 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

28%

AFFORDABLE

At $3,289/mo, rent takes ~28% of Laguna Niguel's median household income ($140,452/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Laguna Niguel 28%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Laguna Niguel affordability calculator →

Nearby cities