Orange County housing costs reach 92.6% of median local salary

In the third quarter of 2026, the cost of owning a median-priced home in Orange County, California, reached approximately 92.6% of the median local salary, according to a report by real estate data firm ATTOM. This high ratio places Orange County among the most expensive counties in the United States relative to local earnings.

The report calculates ownership costs based on a 20% down payment and a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, including property taxes, insurance, and mortgage insurance. While median sale prices in the region have shown slight year-over-year increases, affordability remains a significant challenge. For example, Redfin reported a median sale price of $1,207,298 for the three months ending in September 2026, while Zillow estimated the typical home value at $1,174,873.

Market data indicates a split by property type: single-family detached homes in Orange County saw a September 2026 median price of $1,480,000, whereas the median for condos and townhomes was closer to $795,000. Overall, the market is described as leaning toward sellers but approaching a balanced state.