Laguna Hills, CA vs Mission Viejo, CA

Laguna Hills, CA and Mission Viejo, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Laguna Hills scores 197 while Mission Viejo scores 200 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Laguna Hills is $2,622/month compared to $2,713/month in Mission Viejo — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Laguna Hills is more affordable at $944,000 median vs $946,300.

Median household income in Laguna Hills is $122,778 compared to $136,071 in Mission Viejo (-9.8%). While Mission Viejo is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Laguna Hills spend roughly 25.6% of their income on rent, more than the 23.9% in Mission Viejo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.9°F vs 64.9°F). Mission Viejo receives more rainfall at 11.2" per year compared to 11.2" in Laguna Hills.