City Report · CA

San Juan Capistrano

Pop. 35,095·53rd most expensive in California·San Juan Capistrano rents have dropped 6.1%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$3,827/mo
Year-over-Year
-6.1%
Month-over-Month
-4.2%
vs US Median
+$1,865
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
San Juan Capistrano · $3,827
More expensive than 97% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
63/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what San Juan Capistrano's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$3,827/mo
Expected by trend
$4,096/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where San Juan Capistrano's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,470
1 BR
$2,580
2 BR
$3,050
3 BR
$4,130
4 BR+
$4,930
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$3,050/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,827 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$45,924/yr
At $3,827/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 6.1% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-6.1% YoY, -4.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

San Juan Capistrano, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 43.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
35,095
Median income
$129,457
Median age
46.2
Renters
19%
Age distribution
21.1%
18.4%
23.6%
15.4%
21.5%
Under 1821.1%
18–3418.4%
35–5423.6%
55–6415.4%
65+21.5%
Gender
49.7%
50.3%
Male49.7%
Female50.3%
Race & ethnicity
61.3%
34.6%
White61.3%
Hispanic34.6%
Asian4.5%
Education (25+)
16%
30.3%
43.4%
No HS diploma10.3%
HS diploma16%
Some college30.3%
Bachelor's+43.4%
Housing tenure
81%
19%
Owner81%
Renter19%

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

2022 vs 2026

How San Juan Capistrano, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$3,542 → $3,827
up 8.0%
Income
$111,875 → $129,457
up 15.7%
Population
35,319 → 35,095
down 0.6%
Renter share
25.8% → 19%
-6.8 pts
Bachelor's+
39.8% → 43.4%
+3.6 pts
Median age
44.8 → 46.2
+1.4 yrs

Compared with 2022, rent in San Juan Capistrano, CA has climbed by $285 per month, settling near $3,827 after starting the period at $3,542. Household income in the area moved from $111,875 to $129,457 across the same window, up 15.7% versus 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 7.7 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. About 19% of households rent today, against 25.8% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 39.8% to 43.4%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in San Juan Capistrano, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View San Juan Capistrano rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in San Juan Capistrano on your salary?

At $3,827/mo, how San Juan Capistrano rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

San Juan Capistrano rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in San Juan Capistrano. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in San Juan Capistrano

About renting in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in San Juan Capistrano is $3,827/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,470/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,050/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,580/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,130/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($129,457/yr), San Juan Capistrano ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 6.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is San Juan Capistrano an affordable city for renters?

San Juan Capistrano is considered moderate for renters. At $3,827/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($129,457/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. San Juan Capistrano slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in San Juan Capistrano?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $153,000/year (~$74/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,827/mo in San Juan Capistrano. The local median household income is $129,457/yr, meaning the typical San Juan Capistrano household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in San Juan Capistrano?

Rent in San Juan Capistrano has decreased 6.1% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does San Juan Capistrano rent compare to other cities in California?

San Juan Capistrano is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #53 out of 381 tracked cities at $3,827/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than San Juan Capistrano?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than San Juan Capistrano ($3,827/mo): Laguna Niguel ($3,372/mo), San Clemente ($3,420/mo), Rancho Mission Viejo ($3,750/mo).

What percentage of San Juan Capistrano residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 19% of San Juan Capistrano households are renters, while 81% are owner-occupied. San Juan Capistrano leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does San Juan Capistrano rent compare to the national average?

San Juan Capistrano's median rent of $3,827/mo is $1,865 (95%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #53 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $3,827/mo, rent takes ~35% of San Juan Capistrano's median household income ($129,457/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

San Juan Capistrano 35%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the San Juan Capistrano affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Public schools near San Juan Capistrano, CA

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