Residential comparison · 13 facts
Aliso Viejo, CA vs Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Compare the housing, tax, cost, income, safety, school, and climate facts that are available for both places. The table shows the numbers without declaring one city universally better.
A household earning $85,000 in Aliso Viejo needs about $81,500 in Rancho Santa Margarita to keep the same lifestyle.
Coming from Rancho Santa Margarita, $85,000 of lifestyle costs about $88,500 in Aliso Viejo.
A few differences
- Rancho Santa Margarita is higher on median household income ($152,560 vs $142,439).
- Aliso Viejo is lower on cost of living index (160 vs 162).
- Rancho Santa Margarita is lower on 2-bedroom rent ($2,835/mo vs $2,935/mo).
Aliso Viejo vs Rancho Santa Margarita · facet by facet
| Facet | Aliso Viejo, CA | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $917,900 | $971,200 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $2,935/mo | $2,835/mo |
| Property tax rate | 0.75% | 0.75% |
| State & local income tax | 2.09% | 2.09% |
| Sales tax | 8.8% | 8.8% |
| Cost of living index | 160 | 162 |
| Groceries index | 112 | 112 |
| Utilities | $245/mo | $245/mo |
| Median household income | $142,439 | $152,560 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Crime index | 52/100 | 52/100 |
| School rating | 5.5/10 | 5.5/10 |
| Sunny days / year | 260 days | 260 days |
Data: Census ACS 2024 · BLS · Tax Foundation 2024 brackets · HUD/Zillow · NOAA 1991–2020 · FEMA NRI · Values are shown as reported; no universal winner is implied.
Full profiles: Aliso Viejo, CA · Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Questions & answers
- Is Aliso Viejo cheaper than Rancho Santa Margarita?
- Aliso Viejo has the lower day-to-day cost index (160 vs 162 against a national 100). The other differences are shown facet by facet in the table.
- What household income in Rancho Santa Margarita equals $85,000 in Aliso Viejo?
- A household earning $85,000 in Aliso Viejo needs about $81,500 in Rancho Santa Margarita to keep the same lifestyle; coming the other way, $85,000 of Rancho Santa Margarita lifestyle costs about $88,500 in Aliso Viejo.