Rent in Orange County, CA at a glance
2-bedroom rent (HUD)
$3,236$38,832 a year · HUD fiscal year 2026From October 1, 2026: $3,057 (−5.5%)How much rent can you afford in Orange County, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
Rent in Orange County, CA by bedroom, and the pay it takes
Income needed keeps rent at 30% of gross pay; the hourly figure assumes one full-time job, 2,080 hours a year.
| Size | A month | A year | Income needed | Hourly wage needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,682 | $32,184 | $107,280 | $51.58/hr |
| 1 bedroom | $2,746 | $32,952 | $109,840 | $52.81/hr |
| 2 bedroomsMost searched | $3,236 | $38,832 | $129,440 | $62.23/hr |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,393 | $52,716 | $175,720 | $84.48/hr |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,246 | $62,952 | $209,840 | $100.88/hr |
Cost of living in Orange County, CA: income, prices and a budget →
Living and working in Orange County, CA
Rent in Orange County, CA: common questions
How much is rent going down in Orange County, CA in 2027?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for fiscal 2027, which takes effect October 1, 2026, is $3,057 for a two-bedroom, down 5.5% from $3,236. A one-bedroom goes from $2,746 to $2,610, a studio from $2,682 to $2,580.
These are HUD's estimates of what a typical recently rented unit costs, used for housing vouchers. A landlord's increase on your lease follows your lease and your state's rules, not this figure.
What is the average rent in Orange County, CA?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026 is $2,746 for a one-bedroom and $3,236 for a two-bedroom, utilities included. That is $38,832 a year for the two-bedroom.
It is not an average of current listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so asking rents on newer places usually run higher.
How much do you need to make to afford rent in Orange County, CA?
To keep a $3,236 two-bedroom at 30% of gross pay, one full-time worker needs $62.23 an hour, or $129,440 a year. A one-bedroom at $2,746 takes $52.81 an hour.
How much is a 1, 2 or 3-bedroom apartment in Orange County, CA?
At HUD's 2026 Fair Market Rent: studio $2,682, one bedroom $2,746, two $3,236, three $4,393 and four $5,246 a month.
Is rent affordable in Orange County, CA?
For the typical household, earning $116,289 a year ($9,691 a month, Census ACS), a two-bedroom at $3,236 takes 33.4% of income. Under 30% is the usual line for affordable; this is over it.
How is the income needed for rent worked out?
Rent for a year divided by 0.30, the share of gross income HUD treats as affordable: ($3,236 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $129,440. Divided by 2,080 working hours, that is $62.23 an hour.