Housing
Home prices and rent in Orange County
Median home values, rents and incomes from the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with California and the U.S.
Census geography: Orange County, California. These survey estimates are not current listing prices.
Orange County vs. California and the U.S.
| Orange County | California | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $962,600 | $734,700 | $332,700 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $2,434 | $2,036 | $1,413 |
| Median household income | $116,289 | $99,122 | $80,734 |
| Homes owned by occupants | 56% | 56% | 65% |
| Median year built | 1977 | 1976 | 1980 |
Ten years of change
| 2014 | 2019 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $532,300 | $679,300 | $962,600 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $1,522 | $1,854 | $2,434 |
| Median household income | $75,998 | $90,234 | $116,289 |
Fair Market Rents (HUD, fiscal year 2027)
Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA HUD Metro FMR Area · Orange County. HUD's payment benchmarks for housing programs: typical gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a recent mover, not a listing or an asking rent.
Large figures are the metro-area Fair Market Rent.
Income limits (HUD, fiscal year 2026)
Area median family income: $138,600. Households at or under these incomes can qualify for many housing programs; check each program's own rules.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low income (80%) | $104,200 | $119,100 | $134,000 | $148,850 | $160,800 | $172,700 | $184,600 | $196,500 |
| Very low income (50%) | $65,150 | $74,450 | $83,750 | $93,050 | $100,500 | $107,950 | $115,400 | $122,850 |
| Extremely low income (30%) | $39,100 | $44,700 | $50,300 | $55,850 | $60,350 | $64,800 | $69,300 | $73,750 |
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents and Income Limits, checked October 12, 2026.
Questions
What is the median home value in Orange County?
$962,600, according to the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey (5-year estimates), compared with $734,700 in California and $332,700 nationally.
How much is rent in Orange County?
Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,434 a month, versus $2,036 statewide.
How much have home values risen in Orange County?
The median home value went from $532,300 in 2014 to $962,600 in 2024 (+81%).
What is fair market rent in Orange County?
HUD's fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rent for the Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA HUD Metro FMR Area is $2,580 for a studio, $2,610 for one bedroom and $3,057 for two bedrooms. These are HUD program benchmarks, not asking rents.
Are these current market prices?
No. They are survey medians from the Census Bureau, based on a five-year survey period, so they lag today’s listings. They are the most consistent way to compare places and track change over time.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2014, 2019, 2024), Orange County, California. Values are estimates with margins of error.