10 BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN ORANGE COUNTY 🚍 - TrekMovers (2023)

FAQs

10 BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN ORANGE COUNTY 🚍 - TrekMovers? ›

Orange County, California is considered one of the most desirable and affluent areas in Southern California due to its proximity to many attractions and amenities. The City of Orange, located in the heart of the county, is no exception.

Orange County, California is considered one of the most desirable and affluent areas in Southern California due to its proximity to many attractions and amenities. The City of Orange, located in the heart of the county, is no exception.

As the 6th most populated counties in the greater United States, Orange County, California it is known as the home to legendary tourist attractions such as Disneyland, California Adventures, Knott's Berry Farm, and a host of scenic beaches.

Although largely suburban, it is the second-most-densely-populated county in the state behind San Francisco County. The county's three most-populous cities are Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Irvine, each of which has a population exceeding 300,000.

#1 Cameo Shores-Cameo Highlands, Newport Beach, Orange County (OC Homes) 8th richest neighborhood in the U.S.

Rancho Santa Margarita is the safest city in Orange County, with just 628 crimes per 100,000 compared to the national average of 2,357 and the California average of 2,581 per 100,000. There were just 19 violent crimes reported in 2020, including 15 aggravated assaults and 3 robberies.

Orange County, California's cost of living is 51% higher than the national average. The cost of living in any area can vary based on factors such as your career, its average salary and the real estate market of that area.

Anaheim was the first American town founded in Orange County. In 1857, a group of German immigrants living in San Francisco bought a portion of the Rancho San Juan Cajon de Santa Ana to start a new community, built on wine making.

Is Orange County cheaper than LA? ›

Here's how much you'll pay to rent or buy in Orange County. As a general rule, Orange County is more affordable than West Los Angeles, but many areas of LA are cheaper than the O.C. Irvine is the most expensive place to live in Orange County – check out our in-depth guide to the Irvine cost of living.

Three cities near or within California's Silicon Valley — Fremont, San Jose and San Francisco — have some of the highest-earning middle classes in the country.

Villa Park is the smallest city by population in Orange County, California and is about 99% developed with single-family homes.

Most people equate Orange County, California to the sunshine, beautiful homes and beachfront property that allows residents to enjoy both the sunshine and their homes. Located between Los Angeles and San Diego, Anaheim, California is the largest city in the county, home to nearly 347,000 Californians.

Newport Beach is one of the most exclusive communities in all of the United States making it a top suburb to live in Orange County, and perhaps no neighborhood within the coastal enclave of just over 85,000 is more unique, or more sought after, than Corona del Mar – the “Crown of the Sea,” or, “CDM” as it is ...

#1. Los Altos and Los Altos Hills tops the list for the richest and most expensive city in California. Los Altos is the affluent enclave of Silicon Valley's most affluent and influential leaders. It is one of the wealthiest cities in the US and among the richest areas in California.

1. Los Altos Hills. The richest city in California is Los Altos Hills.

Frisco, Texas, part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex has been ranked the number 1 safest city to live in the U.S. It boasts the fourth-lowest violent crime rate and the sixth-lowest property crime rate.

The cost of crime per capita in U.S. cities was $1,836 in 2021, up 6%, or $100 per capita since 2020. Naperville, Illinois, retained its No. 1 rank as the safest city overall ($156 per capita); St.

Which city in California has the best cost of living? ›

The most affordable counties are located in California's Central Valley and far north in what some call “Upstate California.” The most affordable homes in the Golden State can be found in sparsely populated Siskiyou County, which is located along the Oregon border.

The middle class is generally considered to be made up of households that make between $50K and $120K a year. According to the OC Register, however, in order to qualify as “low-income” in Orange County, you need only make less than $84K.

The study defines "middle class" as earning between $47,000 to $141,000 a year. However, it says family size and location also determines the status.

Adelanto. Adelanto is a small town located in San Bernardino County, California, with a population of around 36,000 residents. The town is known for its affordable housing and relatively low cost of living compared to other cities in Southern California.

The ninth largest city in the state and one of the most affordable cities in California, Bakersfield is a rapidly-growing place to live about two hours north of Los Angeles. Families relocating to California can find affordable housing and job opportunities in top industries like oil and agriculture in Bakersfield.

Cost of Living & Median Income

The median residential property value in San Diego is lower than that of Orange County, although San Diego also has a lower median income. The expenses for groceries, utilities, and healthcare in San Diego are somewhat higher than those of Orange County.

The minimum combined 2023 sales tax rate for Orange County, California is 7.75%. This is the total of state and county sales tax rates. The California state sales tax rate is currently 6%. The Orange County sales tax rate is 0.25%.

Why is housing so expensive in Orange County? ›

Why is Orange County, CA so expensive? When it comes to high cost of housing in Orange County, it all boils down to basic supply and demand. There's more demand for housing than available supply.

The division drive began again in the last days of 1875, when Anaheim sent out a call for public meeting. This time, to try and snare the support of their southern neighbor, they proposed the name Santa Ana County for the area south of the San Gabriel River.

These days Marysville's population is roughly 12,000—about the same as it was during those 19th-century boom times. So instead of becoming a global metropolis, the Yuba County town now boasts the honorary title of “California's Oldest Little City.”

The bottom line is Florida is a far less expensive state to live in than California because it has less expensive homes, lower sales tax on things you buy, and lower income taxes on money you earn.

Cheaper in the Short Term

In Southern California, the fact is that a monthly rent payment will be smaller than a monthly mortgage payment for the same house. This means that from a cash-flow perspective, renting is easier than buying. If you are living in the home short-term, it is also cheaper than buying.

Cost of Living in California vs. Texas. In Texas, you can get a lot more bang for your buck. A MyMove study evaluating the cost of living in the United States in 2022 shows that California has a cost index of 151.7, while Texas has a cost index of only 91.5.

"Middle class" is defined by the PRC as those earning between two-thirds and twice the median American household income, which in 2021 was $70,784, according to the United States Census Bureau. That means American households earning between $47,189 to $141,568 are in the "middle class" as defined by the PRC.

Upper-income households had incomes greater than $145,500; Middle-income households fell into a range between those two numbers.

What are the oldest parts of Orange County? ›

Dating back to the 1700s, Los Rios Historic District is the oldest neighborhood in California. With the establishment of Mission San Juan Capistrano, 40 adobe structures were built to house Native laborers.

Jamboree Road is a 15.8-mile (25.4 km) long major arterial road through Orange County, California, running through the cities of Newport Beach, Irvine, Tustin, and Orange.

AMADOR CITY ~ California's Smallest Hometown, Incorporated 1915.

O.C.'s biggest house: Villa de Formosa in Crystal Cove will have 52,000 square feet, rivaling boutique hotels, some big-box stores.

The Orange County name was created to promote immigration into the area. The name suggests that oranges and other citrus fruits can grow well in the area, thus making it perfect for anyone aiming to move into the area to make a living.

Crime in Orange County vs Los Angeles

Comparing crime in Los Angeles vs. Orange County, you'll find Orange County is a much safer place to live. Irvine in Orange County is even one of the safest cities in the U.S. with one of the lowest violent crime rates among U.S. cities with more than 100,000 and 250,000 people.

Irvine has been named America's safest city by the FBI every year since 2005. But it isn't just one of the safest cities in the U.S—it's also one of the safest places to live in the world!

Green Bay, Wisconsin. Among northern U.S. metro areas that offer a low cost of living, Green Bay might be the best option for you, as it's the No. 1 Best Place to Live in the U.S. in 2023-2024. Green Bay residents spend just 19.92% of the area's median household income on housing costs.

What city has the least affordable housing market? ›

Sydney ranked behind Hong Kong which took the place as the least affordable city in the world, with Vancouver in third place.

While Orange County boasts its fair share of beautiful beaches, San Diego's coastline offers a greater diversity and a more breathtaking backdrop. From the rugged cliffs of Torrey Pines State Beach to the serene coves of Sunset Cliffs, San Diego's beaches exhibit a unique and unparalleled natural beauty.

By the statistics, Orange County looks as flawless as any of the toned bodies on the beach at Corona del Mar. It has a GDP greater than that of smaller European countries like Greece or Portugal; unemployment is at just 3 percent; and the median income approaches $90,000—which is $25,000 higher than the state figure.

Orange County is located in California with a population of 3,182,923. Orange County is one of the best places to live in California. In Orange County, most residents own their homes. In Orange County there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.

Summary of cost of living in Irvine, CA, United States: A family of four estimated monthly costs are 4,487.9$ without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 1,238.9$ without rent. Irvine is 17.3% less expensive than New York (without rent).

Irvine's reputation for being an affluent city is supported with statistics, including a median household income of $93,823, a high school graduate percentage of 96.6% and a college graduate percentage of 68%, according to the City of Irvine.

According to the latest data, the median household income in Irvine is $105,774. As reported by Payscale, the average annual salary (per person) is $87,000, and the average hourly income is $23.47.