San Clemente in short: The typical home is worth about $1,744,000 as of August 2026, up 5.1% in a year, against about $1,179,000 across Orange County. About 174 homes are for sale. Homes that sell go under contract in about 14 days. Typical rent is about $3,430 a month. First-time buyers can combine county and state down payment programs.
San Clemente is Orange County's southernmost city, a Spanish village by the sea with red tile roofs, the San Clemente Pier and Avenida Del Mar downtown. It sits next to Camp Pendleton and San Onofre State Beach, home of the Trestles surf breaks.
Housing ranges from older homes and condos near the pier and downtown to newer planned communities such as Talega and Forster Ranch in the hills, many with HOA dues and some with Mello-Roos taxes. Values are well above the county's typical figure, and ocean views carry a clear premium.
Buyers relocating to Camp Pendleton often look here, and VA loans work well for eligible buyers. I also check bluff, slope and insurance issues on coastal and hillside homes before we offer.
San Clemente housing market, August 2026
Home values in San Clemente are up 5.1% from a year ago and up 13.0% over three years. Homes that sell are going under contract in about 14 days. About 24.5% 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 2.4% 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 San Clemente home costs to own
20% down
$11,488/month
- Down payment$348,790
- Principal and interest$9,235
- Property tax$1,599
- Insurance$654
Income to qualify: about $492,000 a year
10% down
$13,362/month
- Down payment$174,395
- Principal and interest$10,390
- Property tax$1,599
- Insurance$654
- Mortgage insurance$719
Income to qualify: about $573,000 a year
Estimates on the typical home value of $1,744,000 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 San Clemente
- Pier Bowl and downtownCottages, condos and older homes near the pier and Avenida Del Mar.
- TalegaA newer planned community in the hills with a golf course and parks.
- Forster RanchPlanned neighborhoods in the hills with parks and pools.
- MarbleheadNewer homes on the coastal bluffs near the Outlets at San Clemente.
- ShorecliffsA golf course community in the north of the city.
Schools
Capistrano Unified School District serves San Clemente. Always confirm the assigned school for a specific address with the district.
Getting around
Interstate 5 runs through the city. Metrolink serves San Clemente, though coastal rail service has been interrupted at times for slope repairs.
Down payment help for San Clemente 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.
San Clemente ZIP codes at a glance
| ZIP | Median asking price | Per sq ft | Homes for sale | Median days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92672 | $2,199,000 | $960 | 68 | 60 |
| 92673 | $1,975,000 | $732 | 49 | 50 |
Realtor.com Research listing data by ZIP code, August 2026. A ZIP code can cross city lines.
San Clemente real estate questions
How much does a home cost in San Clemente?
As of August 2026, the typical home value in San Clemente is about $1,744,000, up 5.1% from a year earlier, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. The median asking price for homes listed that month was about $1,875,000. 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 San Clemente?
At the typical value of $1,744,000, with 10% down and a 6.95% 30-year fixed rate, the full monthly cost including property tax, insurance and mortgage insurance is about $13,362. Lenders would usually look for household income around $572,657. HOA dues and Mello-Roos are extra where they apply. This is an estimate, not a loan quote.
Is there down payment help for San Clemente buyers?
Yes. Countywide, first-time buyers in San Clemente 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 are Talega and Forster Ranch?
Talega and Forster Ranch are planned communities in the hills of San Clemente with newer homes, parks and pools. Many homes carry HOA dues, and some carry Mello-Roos taxes. They appeal to buyers who want newer construction a short drive from the beach.
Official resources
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