How much does it cost to rent in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA is $3,855. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Rancho Mission Viejo cheaper than other California cities?

Rancho Mission Viejo is one of the pricier cities in California, ranking #51 out of 387 cities tracked at $3,855/mo.

When was Rancho Mission Viejo rent data last updated?

Rancho Mission Viejo 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

Rancho Mission Viejo

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

Pop. 11,971·51st most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$3,855/mo

Year-over-Year

-0.2%

Month-over-Month

-0.3%

vs US Median

+$1,890

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Rancho Mission Viejo · $3,855

More expensive than 97% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

54/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 2% below what Rancho Mission Viejo's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$3,855/mo

Expected by trend

$3,937/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,715

1 BR

$2,553

2 BR

$3,501

3 BR

$3,501

4 BR+

$3,501

Research median

$3,501/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

$46,260/yr

At $3,855/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 (-0.2% YoY, -0.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Rancho Mission Viejo, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 62.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

11,971

Median income

$192,813

Median age

37.4

Renters

24.1%

Age distribution

28.9%

15.9%

27.1%

17.7%

Under 1828.9%

18–3415.9%

35–5427.1%

55–6410.5%

65+17.7%

Gender

43.4%

56.6%

Male43.4%

Female56.6%

Race & ethnicity

72.8%

13%

White72.8%

Hispanic7.6%

Asian13%

Other6.2%

Education (25+)

26.1%

62.9%

No HS diploma1.7%

HS diploma9.4%

Some college26.1%

Bachelor's+62.9%

Housing tenure

75.9%

24.1%

Owner75.9%

Renter24.1%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Rancho Mission Viejo, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$3,591 → $3,855

up 7.4%

Income

$152,989 → $192,813

up 26.0%

Population

9,298 → 11,971

up 28.7%

Renter share

18.6% → 24.1%

+5.5 pts

Bachelor's+

65.2% → 62.9%

-2.3 pts

Median age

36.6 → 37.4

+0.8 yrs

Since 2022, the typical rent in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA has climbed from $3,591 to $3,855, a 7.4% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $152,989 to $192,813 across the same window, up 26.0% versus 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 28.7% since 2021, moving from about 9,298 residents to roughly 11,971. Renters now make up 24.1% of households, compared with 18.6% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 62.9% of adults here, versus 65.2% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Rancho Mission Viejo

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View Rancho Mission Viejo rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Rancho Mission Viejo on your salary?

At $3,855/mo, how Rancho Mission Viejo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 41.5% income

rent-burdened

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 58.4% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 50.7% income

severely rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 28.4% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 22.2% income

affordable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 62.4% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 69.1% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 56.1% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

Rancho Mission Viejo rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Rancho Mission Viejo. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Rancho Mission Viejo

About renting in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Rancho Mission Viejo is $3,855/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,715/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,501/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,553/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,501/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($192,813/yr), Rancho Mission Viejo ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Rancho Mission Viejo an affordable city for renters?

Rancho Mission Viejo is considered very affordable for renters. At $3,855/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($192,813/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Rancho Mission Viejo falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Rancho Mission Viejo?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $154,000/year (~$74/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,855/mo in Rancho Mission Viejo. The local median household income is $192,813/yr, meaning the typical Rancho Mission Viejo household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Rancho Mission Viejo?

Rent in Rancho Mission Viejo has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.2% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Rancho Mission Viejo rent compare to other cities in California?

Rancho Mission Viejo is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #51 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,855/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Rancho Mission Viejo?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Rancho Mission Viejo ($3,855/mo): Rancho Santa Margarita ($2,910/mo), San Clemente ($3,442/mo), Ladera Ranch ($3,769/mo).

What percentage of Rancho Mission Viejo residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 24.1% of Rancho Mission Viejo households are renters, while 75.9% are owner-occupied. Rancho Mission Viejo leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Rancho Mission Viejo rent compare to the national average?

Rancho Mission Viejo's median rent of $3,855/mo is $1,890 (96%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #51 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

24%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $3,855/mo, rent takes ~24% of Rancho Mission Viejo's median household income ($192,813/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Rancho Mission Viejo 24%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Rancho Mission Viejo affordability calculator →

Nearby cities