10 Awesome Orange County Suburbs to Consider Living In
“The OC” Orange County is a well-known area for many people relocating to Southern California. With fan-favorite sports teams, concerts to see nearly every day of the week, and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s no wonder Orange County is also home to about 3,187,000 people. And as more people move to Orange County, it’s important to know that the median home sale price is $960,000.
So if you’re considering buying or renting a home in Orange County, there are countless cities and suburbs you may want to check out. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up a list of 10 Orange County suburbs to consider living in. From picturesque beach towns to suburbs with amazing views of the Santa Ana Mountains, you’ll surely find a place that fits your needs.
#1: Dana Point
Median home price: $1,685,000
Average sale price per square foot: $754
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $3,887
Dana Point, CA homes for sale
Dana Point, CA apartments for rent
Dana Point, a charming beachside town, has a median home sale price of $1,685,000 and an average 2-bedroom rent of $3,887. This Orange County suburb is home to roughly 33,100 people, just a fraction of Orange County’s overall population. Living in Dana Point, you can explore the Dana Point Caves and the rest of the Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area, take a whale-watching cruise, and spend the afternoon or camp out at Doheny State Beach.
#2: Laguna Beach
Median home price: $3,350,000
Average sale price per square foot: $1,390
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $6,250
Laguna Beach, CA homes for sale
Laguna Beach, CA apartments for rent
Another iconic Orange County suburb is none other than Laguna Beach. Living in Laguna Beach, you’ll want to spend the day at one of the gorgeous beaches, head to the Top of the World vista point, or explore the quaint beachfront streets of Laguna Beach’s downtown. Home to 23,000 people, there’s plenty to explore on any given day.
#3: Laguna Niguel
Median home price: $1,260,000
Average sale price per square foot: $633
Laguna Niguel, CA homes for sale
Laguna Niguel, CA apartments for rent
Just east of Laguna Beach and north of Dana Point is Laguna Niguel. From parks and outdoor recreation to supporting local businesses, there are lots of things that make Laguna Niguel a great place to live. If you find yourself moving here, walk through Niguel Botanical Preserve and see the scenery or explore one of the parks like Seaview Park or Salt Creek Trail.
#4: San Juan Capistrano
Median home price: $1,030,000
Average sale price per square foot: $583
San Juan Capistrano, CA homes for sale
San Juan Capistrano, CA apartments for rent
San Juan Capistrano is the next suburb on our list. With roughly 35,200 residents in this Orange County suburb, make sure to visit the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, spend the afternoon at Zoomars at River Street Ranch, or golf at one of the courses in town.
#5: Lake Forest
Median home price: $909,500
Average sale price per square foot: $549
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $3,067
Lake Forest, CA homes for sale
Lake Forest, CA apartments for rent
With 85,900 people residing in this town, Lake Forest is a great option to consider when looking to live in Orange County. Living in Lake Forest, you can spend the morning exploring the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, stroll through Serrano Creek Park, or catch a summer concert at Pittsford Park.
#6: Newport Beach
Median home price: $3,295,000
Average sale price per square foot: $1,260
Newport Beach, CA homes for sale
Newport Beach, CA apartments for rent
Sixth on the list is another picturesque Orange County suburb, Newport Beach. With just about 85,200 people living in Newport Beach, it’s a great beach town to consider living in. There are lots of activities to do in this suburb. For example, you can stroll along the Newport Beach Pier, explore the tide pools at Crystal Cove State Park, go kayaking or paddle-boarding on Balboa Bay, have a beach day at Corona Del Mar State Beach, or explore Balboa Island, among many other local favorites.
#7: Seal Beach
Median home price: $467,500
Average sale price per square foot: $404
Seal Beach, CA homes for sale
Seal Beach, CA apartments for rent
With a population of nearly 25,200, Seal Beach is a great area to live in that’s not nearly as big as some of the cities in Orange County. If you’re going to call Seal Beach home, plan time to walk along the Seal Beach Municipal Pier, spend a sunny day at Bolsa Chica State Beach or grab some great beachfront eats.
#8: Fullerton
Median home price: $767,500
Average sale price per square foot: $525
Fullerton, CA homes for sale
Fullerton, CA apartments for rent
Fullerton is our eighth Orange County suburb, situated just north of Anaheim. This suburb is home to about 143,600 residents, so you’ll have a fraction of Orange County’s total population. Check out Laguna Lake Park, tour the Fullerton Train Museum, or take in the greenery and flowers at Fullerton Arboretum once living in Fullerton.
#9: Yorba Linda
Median home price: $1,000,000
Average sale price per square foot: $531
Yorba Linda, CA homes for sale
Yorba Linda, CA apartments for rent
Yorba Linda is another great area in Orange County that you may want to consider moving to. About 68,300 people live in this suburb, but you’ll find lots to do in Yorba Linda. Fun activities in Yorba Linda include visiting the Richard Nixon Library & Museum or hiking the Rimcrest Trail Head.
#10: San Clemente
Median home price: $1,565,000
Average sale price per square foot: $673
San Clemente, CA homes for sale
San Clemente, CA apartments for rent
Last but not least on our list of Orange County suburbs, is San Clemente. San Clemente has a population of 64,300, but you’ll have plenty of activities to do during your free time living in San Clemente. You can stroll along the San Clemente Beach Trail and spend the day at T Street Beach or one of the countless beaches in the city.
Methodology: Suburb must be part of Orange County. List organized in no particular order. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during November 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com November 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
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