Orange, CA Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Orange, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Orange →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Orange's population is about 138,728. On income, the typical household clears $109,335 a year, running above the median household income across the cities we cover (+52%).
Expect a median home value of $848,200 in Orange, which runs above what we see across other cities (+160%). Median rent lands at $2,148/month — a useful baseline before comparing mortgage payments to rent.
At roughly 7.8 times median income, Orange's home values rank among the more stretched we track — buying here takes a larger share of local pay. Home prices near Orange have risen a steady 3.33% over the past year — measured growth, not a spike. FEMA rates Orange's overall natural-hazard risk as Very High — worth factoring into home insurance costs.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $2,148/mo in Orange would take 23.6% of your income.
$585/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($848,200) would take 49.7% of your income toward principal & interest.
$1,977/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Orange
Median home value is $848,200 and median gross rent is $2,148/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Orange rose 3.33% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $3,236/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Orange's overall natural-hazard risk as Very High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Orange reported a violent crime rate of 196.3 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Orange
Planning a move to Orange? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Orange, CA?
- The US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022) puts Orange's median home value at $848,200, median rent at $2,148/month, and median household income at $109,335.
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Orange?
- At Orange's median rent of $2,148/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $85,920 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Orange.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Orange?
- With a median home value of $848,200 and median rent of $2,148/month, renting comfortably in Orange takes about $85,920/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $194,064/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
- Is Orange safe?
- The most recent FBI figures (2025) show a violent crime rate of 196.3 per 100,000 residents in Orange.
See the full salary breakdown for Orange →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Orange's.