Dana Point, CA vs Mission Viejo, CA

Mission Viejo is moderately more affordable than Dana Point, with a 13% lower cost of living index. Dana Point scores 226 compared to 200 for Mission Viejo, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Dana Point can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Dana Point is $2,883/month compared to $2,713/month in Mission Viejo — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mission Viejo is more affordable at $946,300 median vs $1,200,900.

Median household income in Dana Point is $127,246 compared to $136,071 in Mission Viejo (-6.5%). Mission Viejo offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Dana Point spend roughly 27.2% of their income on rent, more than the 23.9% in Mission Viejo.