Laguna Beach in short: The typical home is worth about $2,991,000 as of August 2026, up 6.5% in a year, against about $1,179,000 across Orange County. About 155 homes are for sale. Homes that sell go under contract in about 55 days. Typical rent is about $5,300 a month. First-time buyers can combine county and state down payment programs.
Laguna Beach is an arts town on the coast between Newport Beach and Dana Point, with coves, tide pools and galleries along Pacific Coast Highway. It hosts the Festival of Arts and the Pageant of the Masters each summer, and its hillsides and canyons give many homes ocean views.
The housing stock is mostly single-family homes, from small beach cottages to large custom homes on hillside lots, with little new construction. Values are among the highest in Orange County and inventory is limited, so buyers weigh view, walkability to the beach and the condition of older homes.
Hillside and canyon homes raise fire, slope and insurance questions, and coastal permits can shape what you can build. Due diligence here goes further than in most places, and I plan for it from the first showing.
Laguna Beach housing market, August 2026
Home values in Laguna Beach are up 6.5% from a year ago and up 9.7% over three years. Homes that sell are going under contract in about 55 days. About 22.6% 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 2.1% 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 Laguna Beach home costs to own
20% down
$19,701/month
- Down payment$598,161
- Principal and interest$15,838
- Property tax$2,742
- Insurance$1,122
Income to qualify: about $844,000 a year
10% down
$22,915/month
- Down payment$299,081
- Principal and interest$17,818
- Property tax$2,742
- Insurance$1,122
- Mortgage insurance$1,234
Income to qualify: about $982,000 a year
Estimates on the typical home value of $2,991,000 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 Laguna Beach
- North LagunaHomes near Crescent Bay and Heisler Park within reach of downtown.
- Top of the WorldHilltop neighborhood with wide ocean and canyon views.
- Bluebird CanyonHomes along a canyon close to the beach and downtown.
- Arch Beach HeightsHillside streets with views above central Laguna.
- South LagunaNeighborhoods near Aliso Beach and the southern coves.
Schools
Laguna Beach Unified School District serves the city. Always confirm the assigned school for a specific address with the district.
Getting around
Pacific Coast Highway runs along the coast, and Laguna Canyon Road connects to the 73 and the 405. Summer traffic is heavy.
Down payment help for Laguna Beach 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.
Laguna Beach ZIP codes at a glance
| ZIP | Median asking price | Per sq ft | Homes for sale | Median days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92651 | $4,900,000 | $1,863 | 166 | 79 |
Realtor.com Research listing data by ZIP code, August 2026. A ZIP code can cross city lines.
Laguna Beach real estate questions
How much does a home cost in Laguna Beach?
As of August 2026, the typical home value in Laguna Beach is about $2,991,000, up 6.5% from a year earlier, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. The median asking price for homes listed that month was about $3,682,000. 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 Laguna Beach?
At the typical value of $2,991,000, with 10% down and a 6.95% 30-year fixed rate, the full monthly cost including property tax, insurance and mortgage insurance is about $22,915. Lenders would usually look for household income around $982,071. HOA dues and Mello-Roos are extra where they apply. This is an estimate, not a loan quote.
Is there down payment help for Laguna Beach buyers?
Yes. Countywide, first-time buyers in Laguna Beach 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.
Why are homes in Laguna Beach so expensive?
Laguna Beach has very little land left to build on, protected open space around the town, ocean views from many hillsides and a strong arts and beach culture. Limited supply against steady demand keeps values among the highest in Orange County.
Official resources
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