1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Rancho Santa Margarita, California as of October 2026. That's +3% lower than the citywide median of $2,849 and +97% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Rancho Santa Margarita
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Rancho Santa Margarita
Compare Rancho Santa Margarita's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $938 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $4,030 |
| 2 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 3 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Rancho Santa Margarita.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Rancho Santa Margarita |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ladera Ranch, CA | 5.1 mi | $3,280 | +$530 (+19%) |
| Lake Forest, CA | 5.9 mi | $2,795 | +$45 (+2%) |
| Laguna Hills, CA | 6.2 mi | $2,720 | $-30 (-1%) |
| Rancho Mission Viejo, CA | 7.4 mi | $2,553 | $-197 (-7%) |
| San Juan Capistrano, CA | 8.1 mi | $2,580 | $-170 (-6%) |
| Laguna Woods, CA | 8.2 mi | $2,260 | $-490 (-18%) |
| Aliso Viejo, CA | 8.7 mi | $2,890 | +$140 (+5%) |
| Laguna Niguel, CA | 8.8 mi | $2,840 | +$90 (+3%) |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 11.6 mi | $3,020 | +$270 (+10%) |
| Dana Point, CA | 11.8 mi | $2,770 | +$20 (+1%) |
| San Clemente, CA | 12 mi | $2,920 | +$170 (+6%) |
| Irvine, CA | 12.9 mi | $3,131 | +$381 (+14%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Rancho Santa Margarita — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Rancho Santa Margarita?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, California is $2,750 per month. This is +3% below the citywide median of $2,849.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Rancho Santa Margarita?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $110,000 ($9,167/month gross), which works out to roughly $52.88/hour at a full-time job.
Is Rancho Santa Margarita expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Rancho Santa Margarita's 1-bedroom median of $2,750 is +97% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Rancho Santa Margarita rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Rancho Santa Margarita ranks #304 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Rancho Santa Margarita?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Laguna Hills ($2,720), Rancho Mission Viejo ($2,553), San Juan Capistrano ($2,580).