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City Report · CA

Orange

Pop. 138,266·120th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,181/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.7%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
+$1,216
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Orange · $3,181
More expensive than 93% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
63/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent
$3,181/mo
Expected by trend
$3,394/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Orange's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,228
1 BR
$2,332
2 BR
$2,760
3 BR
$3,734
4 BR+
$4,456
Research median
$2,760/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$38,172/yr
At $3,181/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.7% YoY, -0.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Orange, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 39.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
138,266
Median income
$117,113
Median age
37.2
Renters
43.3%
Age distribution
20.4%
26.1%
26.7%
15.3%
Under 1820.4%
18–3426.1%
35–5426.7%
55–6411.5%
65+15.3%
Gender
50.4%
49.6%
Male50.4%
Female49.6%
Race & ethnicity
47.2%
39.9%
13.9%
White47.2%
Black1.6%
Hispanic39.9%
Asian13.9%
Education (25+)
19.2%
30%
39.7%
No HS diploma11.1%
HS diploma19.2%
Some college30%
Bachelor's+39.7%
Housing tenure
56.7%
43.3%
Owner56.7%
Renter43.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Orange, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,456 → $3,181
up 29.5%
Income
$102,125 → $117,113
up 14.7%
Population
139,195 → 138,266
down 0.7%
Renter share
40.7% → 43.3%
+2.6 pts
Bachelor's+
39% → 39.7%
+0.7 pts
Median age
36 → 37.2
+1.2 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Orange, CA has climbed from $2,456 to $3,181, a 29.5% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $102,125 to $117,113 across the same window, up 14.7% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Renters now make up 43.3% of households, compared with 40.7% five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Orange, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Orange

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View Orange rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Orange on your salary?

At $3,181/mo, how Orange rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Orange rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Orange

About renting in Orange, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Orange is $3,181/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,228/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,760/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,332/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,734/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($117,113/yr), Orange ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Orange an affordable city for renters?

Orange is considered moderate for renters. At $3,181/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($117,113/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Orange slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Orange?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $127,000/year (~$61/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,181/mo in Orange. The local median household income is $117,113/yr, meaning the typical Orange household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Orange?

Rent in Orange has increased 1.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Orange neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Orange are 92868 ($3,051/mo), 92866 ($3,384/mo), and 92869 ($3,808/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Orange is $3,181/mo.

How does Orange rent compare to other cities in California?

Orange is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #120 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,181/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Orange?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Orange ($3,181/mo): Anaheim ($2,674/mo), Garden Grove ($2,679/mo), Santa Ana ($2,785/mo).

What percentage of Orange residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.3% of Orange households are renters, while 56.7% are owner-occupied. Orange leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Orange rent compare to the national average?

Orange's median rent of $3,181/mo is $1,216 (62%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #120 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $3,181/mo, rent takes ~33% of Orange's median household income ($117,113/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Orange 33%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Orange affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Orange, CA

Recent submissions

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