Laguna Beach, CA Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Laguna Beach, CA Summary

Cost of living in Laguna Beach research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Laguna Beach is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in California, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Laguna Beach is 315, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Laguna Beach is 3.1x higher than the national average.

  • Laguna Beach ranks as the #613 cheapest in California out of 634.

  • Laguna Beach ranks as the #6,468 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Laguna Beach is $2,905,029.

  • The median income in Laguna Beach is $140,508.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
315
Laguna Beach's Overall Cost Of Living
3.1x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Laguna Beach, CA?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Laguna Beach has an overall cost of living index of 315, which is 3.1x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to California, Laguna Beach has a cost of living index that's 2.2x higher than California's index of 141.

The standard of living in Laguna Beach ranks as #613 most affordable out of the 634 places we measured in California. By definition, that implies Laguna Beach ranks as the #21 most expensive place in the Golden State.

For more reading on life in Laguna Beach, check out:

613 out of 634
In California
6,468 out of 6,489
In America

Laguna Beach Cost Of Living Vs. California

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Laguna Beach. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Laguna Beach is 110.

  • The Groceries index in Laguna Beach is 114.

  • The Health index in Laguna Beach is 101.

  • The Housing index in Laguna Beach is 785.

  • The Transportation index in Laguna Beach is 125.

  • The Utilities index in Laguna Beach is 92.

Living Expense Laguna Beach California National Average
Overall 315 141 100
Services 110 110 100
Groceries 114 112 100
Health 101 110 100
Housing 785 195 100
Transportation 125 125 100
Utilities 92 128 100
For more reading on cost of living around California, check out:
Laguna Beach Cost of Living Vs. CA

Laguna Beach, CA Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in California, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Laguna Beach is $2,905,029.

  • The Median Rent in Laguna Beach is $2,802.

  • The Median Income in Laguna Beach is $140,508.

  • The Home Value To Income in Laguna Beach is 20.7x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Laguna Beach is 0.24x.

Statistic Laguna Beach California United States
Median Home Value $2,905,029 $763,287 $303,400
Median Rent $2,802 $1,956 $1,348
Median Income $140,508 $96,334 $78,538
Home Value To Income 20.7x 7.9x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.24x 0.24x 0.21x
$2,905,029
Median Home Value
$2,802
Median Rent
$140,508
Median Income

Laguna Beach, CA Costs By Category

Detailed Laguna Beach Services Costs Vs. California

Item Laguna Beach California
Shampoo $1.34 $1.28
Movie $11.04 $12.13
Bowling $21.11 $18
Haircut $27.27 $24.26
Beauty Salon $41.78 $45.56

Detailed Laguna Beach Groceries Costs Vs. California

Item Laguna Beach California
Ground Beef $5.89 $5.84
Fried Chicken $3.49 $1.57
Milk $4.92 $4.67
Potatoes $4.92 $4.93
Pizza $15.31 $12.09
Beer $10.26 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.61 $3.7

Detailed Laguna Beach Health Costs Vs. California

Item Laguna Beach California
Optometrist $112.92 $125.68
Doctor $95.5 $135.78
Dentist $117.28 $113.29

Detailed Laguna Beach Transportation Costs Vs. California

Item Laguna Beach California
Gasoline $4.75 $3.46
Tire Balancing $61.38 $59.92

Detailed Laguna Beach Utilities Costs Vs. California

Item Laguna Beach California
All Electricity $378.97 $193.99
Phone $180.31 $192.25

Laguna Beach SnackAbility

9
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
8/10
Housing
10
Affordability
4
Diversity
7
Safety
5
Amenities
9
Education
9.5
Commute
6

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Laguna Beach

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Laguna Beach. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Orange, CA has a cost of living index of 170, 0.5x Laguna Beach.

  • Mission Viejo, CA has a cost of living index of 184, 0.6x Laguna Beach.

  • Lake Forest, CA has a cost of living index of 175, 0.6x Laguna Beach.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Laguna Beach
Orange, CA 138,723 170 0.5x
Mission Viejo, CA 92,415 184 0.6x
Lake Forest, CA 85,846 175 0.6x
Newport Beach, CA 84,304 325 1.0x
Laguna Niguel, CA 64,023 197 0.6x
Fountain Valley, CA 56,358 186 0.6x
Aliso Viejo, CA 51,320 174 0.6x
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 47,257 176 0.6x
San Juan Capistrano, CA 34,998 183 0.6x
Dana Point, CA 32,883 205 0.7x

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