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Rental Market Trends in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

What is the average rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA?

$2,485/month

Average Rent

714 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

-2.7%

Decrease in the Last Year

As of July 2025, the average rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is $2,485 per month. This is 52% higher than the national average rent price of $1,637/month, making Rancho Santa Margarita one of the most expensive cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in Rancho Santa Margarita, you can expect to pay about $2,311 per month for a studio, $2,485 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $3,029 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $3,739 or more.

Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$2,311/month
486 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,485/month
714 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,029/month
1,001 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,739/month
1,387 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,774/month
916 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$4,950/month
1,851 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$8,366/month
3,284 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,216/month
805 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,436/month
1,030 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$4,087/month
1,380 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$4,570/month
1,627 Sq Ft

How much has average rent changed in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA?

In the past year, rent has decreased by 2.7%, which averages out to $67 less per month.

Market Trends Over Time   The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated July 2025
Legend
2024 2025
Market Trends Over Time
Rent Ranges in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Last Updated July 2025
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Percentage*
Rent Range
0% Below $700/month
0% $700 - $1,000/month
0% $1,001 - $1,500/month
0% $1,501 - $2,000/month
100% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

Last Updated Today
  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Rancho Santa Margarita?

Based on current rent prices, Rancho Trabuco, Emerald Ridge and Cortesia are the most affordable neighborhoods in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Rancho Trabuco
$2,352/month
698 Sq Ft
Emerald Ridge
$2,416/month
784 Sq Ft
Cortesia
$2,416/month
784 Sq Ft
El Caserio
$2,428/month
698 Sq Ft
Vista Ladera West
$2,459/month
596 Sq Ft
Samlarc
$2,567/month
701 Sq Ft
Los Abanicos
$3,038/month
756 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Rancho Santa Margarita?

Based on current rent prices, Los Abanicos, Samlarc and Vista Ladera West are the most expensive neighborhoods in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Los Abanicos
$3,038/month
756 Sq Ft
Samlarc
$2,567/month
701 Sq Ft
Vista Ladera West
$2,459/month
596 Sq Ft
El Caserio
$2,428/month
698 Sq Ft
Emerald Ridge
$2,416/month
784 Sq Ft
Cortesia
$2,416/month
784 Sq Ft
Rancho Trabuco
$2,352/month
698 Sq Ft

Which Rancho Santa Margarita neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhoods in Rancho Santa Margarita with the most apartments available are Samlarc, Rancho Trabuco and Los Abanicos .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Samlarc
$2,567/month
701 Sq Ft
Rancho Trabuco
$2,352/month
698 Sq Ft
Los Abanicos
$3,038/month
756 Sq Ft
Emerald Ridge
$2,416/month
784 Sq Ft
Cortesia
$2,416/month
784 Sq Ft
Vista Ladera West
$2,459/month
596 Sq Ft
El Caserio
$2,428/month
698 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA?

Because the average rent in Rancho Santa Margarita is $2,485, you’ll want to make about $8,283 per month or $99,396 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.

City

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

321 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

How does Rancho Santa Margarita, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare Rancho Santa Margarita, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.

Explore the Area Guide for Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Apartment Averages

Rancho Trabuco

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Los Abanicos

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Studio
-
-
One Bedroom
-
-
Two Bedroom
-
-
Three Bedroom
-
-
Search
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Nearby City Rent Trends

  • Trabuco Canyon Average Rent
  • Mission Viejo Average Rent
  • Lake Forest Average Rent
  • Foothill Ranch Average Rent
  • Laguna Hills Average Rent

Apartment communities in Rancho Santa Margarita we think you'll love

Los Alisos at Mission Viejo

Los Alisos at Mission Viejo

28601 Los Alisos Blvd,
Mission Viejo, CA 92692

Studio - 3 Beds | $2,249 - $4,260

Overture Rancho Santa Margarita 55+ Senior...

Overture Rancho Santa Margarita 55+ Senior...

30824 La Miranda Ln,
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

1-2 Beds | $2,195 - $3,495

Villas Aliento Apartment Homes

Villas Aliento Apartment Homes

114 Aliento,
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Studio - 2 Beds | $2,265 - $2,960

Avila at Rancho Santa Margarita

Avila at Rancho Santa Margarita

22751 El Prado,
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

1-2 Beds | $2,290 - $5,476

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United States California Rancho Santa Margarita Rental Trends

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2025.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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Equal Housing Opportunity