2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Rancho Santa Margarita, California as of July 2026. That's +12% higher than the citywide median of $2,910 and +96% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Rancho Santa Margarita.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Rancho Santa Margarita |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coto de Caza, CA | 1 mi | $3,790 | +$540 (+17%) |
| Ladera Ranch, CA | 5.1 mi | $3,880 | +$630 (+19%) |
| Lake Forest, CA | 5.9 mi | $3,305 | +$55 (+2%) |
| Laguna Hills, CA | 6.2 mi | $3,220 | $-30 (-1%) |
| Rancho Mission Viejo, CA | 7.4 mi | $3,501 | +$251 (+8%) |
| San Juan Capistrano, CA | 8.1 mi | $3,050 | $-200 (-6%) |
| Laguna Woods, CA | 8.2 mi | $2,670 | $-580 (-18%) |
| Aliso Viejo, CA | 8.7 mi | $3,420 | +$170 (+5%) |
| Laguna Niguel, CA | 8.8 mi | $3,360 | +$110 (+3%) |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 11.6 mi | $3,570 | +$320 (+10%) |
| Dana Point, CA | 11.8 mi | $3,275 | +$25 (+1%) |
| San Clemente, CA | 12 mi | $3,460 | +$210 (+6%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Rancho Santa Margarita — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Rancho Santa Margarita?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, California is $3,250 per month. This is +12% higher than the citywide median of $2,910.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Rancho Santa Margarita?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $130,000 ($10,833/month gross), which works out to roughly $62.50/hour at a full-time job.
Is Rancho Santa Margarita expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Rancho Santa Margarita's 2-bedroom median of $3,250 is +96% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Rancho Santa Margarita rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Rancho Santa Margarita ranks #299 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Rancho Santa Margarita?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Laguna Hills ($3,220), San Juan Capistrano ($3,050), Laguna Woods ($2,670).