Cost of Living in Orange, CA

Population 138,723 · California · Data vintage 2023

246

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing in Orange sits 195% above the national median — $901,000 for the typical home — but median household incomes near $116,945 (57% above the US figure) soften the blow that similar pricing creates in lower-wage metros.

Cost Overview

Housing 295

Rent 171

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Orange

The median home value in Orange is $900,700 — 195% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,252/month, 71% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $116,945/year is 57% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Orange has a cost of living index of 246 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 146% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$900,700

195% above avg

Zillow Home Value

$1,113,822

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$2,252/mo

71% above avg

Zillow Rent

$3,200/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

33.3x

Favors renting

Property Tax Rate

0.7%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$1,195

1 BR

$1,241

2 BR

$1,544

3 BR

$2,163

4 BR

$2,556

Owner-occupied 58.1%

Renter-occupied 41.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$2,252

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,866/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚

Eggs (dozen)

$0.548

🍞

White Bread (lb)

$1.912

🥩

Ground Beef (lb)

$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute

28.4 min

5% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

15.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

69.1%

Carpooled

9.3%

Public transit

1.2%

Walked

3.1%

Bicycle

0.5%

Work from home

15.9%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 13.3%

Total Sales Tax 8.7%

State rate 7.3%

Avg local rate 1.4%

Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$116,945

57% above avg

Per Capita Income

$50,759

Unemployment Rate

4.7%

2% below avg

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Labor Force Participation

66.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.9%

Graduate degree 14.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.9

Male median age 36.5

Female median age 37.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate

43.8%

Good air days/yr

166

Max AQI recorded

204

PM2.5 days

142

Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Orange, CA?

Orange has a cost index of 246 (100 = national average). It is 146% above the national average.

What is average rent in Orange, CA?

The median gross rent in Orange is $2,252 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Orange?

The median home value in Orange is $900,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Orange?

The median household income in Orange is $116,945 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Orange, CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Orange is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is Orange, CA affordable?

Orange is above average in cost of living, with an index of 246 — about 146% higher than the national average.

Orange at a Glance

Population: 138,723
Median Income: $116,945
Home Value: $900,700
Median Rent: $2,252/mo
Unemployment: 4.7%
Sales Tax: 8.7%

View all cities in California →

Nearby Cities

🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

California Rankings

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs