Signals
Ladera Ranch
Rancho Santa Margarita
Opportunity
62 · Top 37%
vs60 · Top 41%
Climate
100 · Top 4%
vs100 · Top 4%
Physical resilience
12 · Bottom 7%
vs12 · Bottom 7%
Housing affordability
62 · Bottom 23%
vs64 · Bottom 25%
Access
84 · Bottom 28%
vs87 · Bottom 35%
Economic stability
81 · Top 5%
vs80 · Top 7%
Measured values
| Metric | Ladera Ranch | Rancho Santa Margarita | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,793 | 46,990 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $184,458 | $152,560 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $74,294 | $65,824 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 4,812/sq mi | 3,635/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $1,151,000 | $971,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $3,350 | $2,625 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 74.1% | 72.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 3.9% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.8% | -1.8% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 68.0% | 49.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 4.2% | 5.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 79°F | 79°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 49°F | 49°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 11.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 35 mi | 29 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 28.7 min | 28.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 35.1 | 40.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Ladera Ranch
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, inland flooding.
Rancho Santa Margarita
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, inland flooding.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Ladera Ranch
67
Your Score
—
Area Score
Rancho Santa Margarita
59
Your Score
52
Area Score
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Full profiles: Ladera Ranch, CA · Rancho Santa Margarita, CA · How this is calculated: methodology