Signals
Rancho Santa Margarita
Ladera Ranch
Opportunity
60 · Top 41%
vs62 · Top 37%
Climate
100 · Top 4%
vs100 · Top 4%
Physical resilience
12 · Bottom 7%
vs12 · Bottom 7%
Housing affordability
64 · Bottom 25%
vs62 · Bottom 23%
Access
87 · Bottom 35%
vs84 · Bottom 28%
Economic stability
80 · Top 7%
vs81 · Top 5%
Measured values
| Metric | Rancho Santa Margarita | Ladera Ranch | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,990 | 23,793 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $152,560 | $184,458 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $65,824 | $74,294 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,635/sq mi | 4,812/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $971,200 | $1,151,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,625 | $3,350 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.5% | 74.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9% | 4.1% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.8% | -1.8% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 49.7% | 68.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 5.7% | 4.2% | 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 | 29 mi | 35 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 28.4 min | 28.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.9 | 35.1 | 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
Rancho Santa Margarita
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, inland flooding.
Ladera Ranch
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.
Rancho Santa Margarita
59
Your Score
52
Area Score
Ladera Ranch
67
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA · Ladera Ranch, CA · How this is calculated: methodology