Dana Point in short: The typical home is worth about $1,756,000 as of August 2026, up 6.2% in a year, against about $1,179,000 across Orange County. About 118 homes are for sale. Homes that sell go under contract in about 22 days. Typical rent is about $4,320 a month. First-time buyers can combine county and state down payment programs.
Dana Point is a South County coastal city built around Dana Point Harbor, with Doheny State Beach, Salt Creek Beach and the headlands trails along its shoreline. It is known for whale watching and surfing, and its harbor is in the middle of a major revitalization.
Neighborhoods range widely. Capistrano Beach and the Lantern District near downtown have older homes and condos, Monarch Beach offers larger homes near the resorts and golf, and hillside streets across the city have ocean views. Values are well above the county's typical figure.
Coastal homes bring coastal questions, such as bluff stability, flood zones, insurance and coastal permits for remodels. I check each one before we make an offer, because they affect both the price and the monthly cost.
Dana Point housing market, August 2026
Home values in Dana Point are up 6.2% from a year ago and up 15.6% over three years. Homes that sell are going under contract in about 22 days. About 23.5% of listings have had a price cut, which tells you how much room there is to negotiate. For comparison, the typical home value across Orange County is $1,179,000. At the typical rent and value, the gross rental yield is about 3.0% a year before expenses.
Sources: Zillow Research (home value and rent indexes, inventory, days to pending, price cuts) and Realtor.com Research, data through August 2026. These are market-wide figures, not an appraisal of any one home. See the Orange County market report for the county trend.
What a typical Dana Point home costs to own
20% down
$11,564/month
- Down payment$351,113
- Principal and interest$9,297
- Property tax$1,609
- Insurance$658
Income to qualify: about $496,000 a year
10% down
$13,451/month
- Down payment$175,557
- Principal and interest$10,459
- Property tax$1,609
- Insurance$658
- Mortgage insurance$724
Income to qualify: about $576,000 a year
Estimates on the typical home value of $1,756,000 at the 6.95% 30-year fixed average (2026-09-17), with property tax at 1.1% and insurance at 0.45% of value a year, and income at 28% of gross for housing. HOA dues and Mello-Roos are extra where they apply. Not a loan quote. Down payment programs below can cover part of the down payment. See 20 years of mortgage rates.
Neighborhoods in Dana Point
- Lantern DistrictWalkable streets near downtown with condos, cottages and newer mixed-use buildings.
- Capistrano BeachOlder homes and condos near Doheny and the beach.
- Monarch BeachLarger homes near the resorts, golf course and Salt Creek Beach.
- Niguel ShoresA gated community on the bluffs above the beach.
Schools
Capistrano Unified School District serves Dana Point. Always confirm the assigned school for a specific address with the district.
Getting around
Pacific Coast Highway runs along the coast and Interstate 5 is a few minutes inland. The San Juan Capistrano station is the closest Metrolink and Amtrak stop.
Down payment help for Dana Point buyers
Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) Open
OC Housing and Community Development
A deferred second loan at 3% simple interest of up to $120,000 for low-income and $80,000 for moderate-income first-time buyers. The price must be at or below 85% of the county median sales price.
Orange County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Open
County of Orange, administered by National Homebuyers Fund
A federal income tax credit on part of the mortgage interest you pay, every year for the life of the loan. Income up to 115% of area median income, and it stacks with MAP and other programs.
CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program Open
California Housing Finance Agency
A deferred junior loan of up to 3% of the price toward the down payment or closing costs, paired with a CalHFA first mortgage. No monthly payment until you sell, refinance or pay off the loan.
See every program you may qualify for
Program terms from the official program pages, last checked September 2026. Income and price limits apply and funds can close without notice, so confirm current terms before you rely on them.
Dana Point ZIP codes at a glance
| ZIP | Median asking price | Per sq ft | Homes for sale | Median days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92624 | $2,375,000 | $1,076 | 31 | 53 |
| 92629 | $2,395,000 | $1,242 | 77 | 49 |
Realtor.com Research listing data by ZIP code, August 2026. A ZIP code can cross city lines.
Dana Point real estate questions
How much does a home cost in Dana Point?
As of August 2026, the typical home value in Dana Point is about $1,756,000, up 6.2% from a year earlier, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. The median asking price for homes listed that month was about $2,206,000. Condos and townhomes usually sit below the typical value and larger detached homes above it.
What is the monthly payment on a typical home in Dana Point?
At the typical value of $1,756,000, with 10% down and a 6.95% 30-year fixed rate, the full monthly cost including property tax, insurance and mortgage insurance is about $13,451. Lenders would usually look for household income around $576,471. HOA dues and Mello-Roos are extra where they apply. This is an estimate, not a loan quote.
Is there down payment help for Dana Point buyers?
Yes. Countywide, first-time buyers in Dana Point can look at the Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program and the Orange County Mortgage Credit Certificate, and statewide at CalHFA's MyHome Assistance Program. Income and price limits apply, and the right combination depends on your situation. The finder on this site lists more than 40 programs across Southern California.
What should buyers check on a coastal home in Dana Point?
Ask about bluff and slope stability, whether the home sits in a flood zone, the cost and availability of insurance, and any coastal permits that apply to remodels. These affect both the price you should pay and your monthly cost, so I review them before you commit.
Official resources
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